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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Suffering for Christ's sake | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45543 | ||
Well, tomn, I think it puts us in a bit of an odd position. For example, the fiancé of a woman I know has admitted to her that he has developed a serious infatuation for another woman, but does not wish to break off their engagement. Since my friend cannot legitimately accept this rejection in conjunction with the world's rejection of Christ, and offer it up to Him as her share in that suffering, I suppose she is doomed to fight it as we would any evil. Do we participate in the March of Dimes walkathons, write our Congress members to oppose Arctic drilling, sponsor underprivileged third world children? Then we must also actively oppose any injustice or wrong, wherever we may find it. The problem is, I think some evils just CAN'T be avoided, and others SHOULDN'T be. I think the solution for my friend is to accept that her beloved's heart has waxed cold, and cut her losses. The trust is gone. But you can't support that position Biblically, unless we include that kind of suffering with Col 1:24. We are told to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, etc. Never are we encouraged to leave, forsake, or depart from a Christian brother or sister on account of personal injury. In cases where suffering CAN'T be avoided, such as a freak accident that leaves one paralyzed, for example, I believe it's much better to be able to accept the reality of the situation and make the best of it, rather than to become bitter at the unfairness of it all. But if it can't be HOLY suffering, then it IS unfair, and evil, and we are RIGHT to get mad as hell about it, aren't we? --Cheryl |
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2 | Suffering for Christ's sake | Col 1:24 | tomn | 45770 | ||
Cheryl, having two kinds of suffering is what you think makes it odd? I agree that your friend can't honestly include the suffering in what happened in that for Christ, unless her faith had something to do with what happened, but she can include the suffering of continuing to deal with it in col.1:24, if she does it because of Christ. Do you think she is doomed because she can't include it that way and so must deal with it as with the other evils you mentioned? I agree about avoiding evil ,but I don't agree with your solution, because you say it is an infatuation and so could go like it came. As shown by his wanting to stay with her. Trust can be restored. Are you saying she can cut her losses if it is included in Christ? I don't agree with how to deal with personal injury. I agree that accepting reality is better. However it is only by God's grace that we do it and see how to make the best of it. So then the cause of the suffering may not be holy but our dealing with that suffering will be as holy as we are mature in becoming like Jesus. So then all suffering is holy to some degree. But for what ever is not holy, we need to remember that the anger of man does not work the rightousness of God. Did you see post#45077 by biynah and #45087 by tim? |
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3 | How is suffering holy? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45819 | ||
Hello again, tomn... You say, "I agree that your friend can't honestly include the suffering in what happened in that for Christ, unless her faith had something to do with what happened, but she can include the suffering of continuing to deal with it in col.1:24, if she does it because of Christ." How could one continue in suffering because of Christ, if the suffering isn't part of His sufferings in the first place? And yes, I said "doomed" because if we can't accept suffering as part and parcel of our life in Christ, then we must deal with it as we would any evil, mustn't we? This could lead to some counter-productive situations, such as hanging onto a relationship that really isn't meant to be... You say that trust could be restored between these two individuals. And that might be so, but it would take a miracle. Right now, my friend feels like her fiancé is simply undecided, and doesn't have the guts to be straight with her while he's making up his mind. She feels used, and her whole perspective on the relationship has changed. She wants to break it off now. I say that if she were able to offer up this "rejection" along with the rejection Christ suffered for us, it would become a source of grace to her and she would be able to move past it. Yes, I saw the posts by Biynah and Tim. I went through almost exactly the same situation as Biynah, years ago, even down to the fact that my abusive marriage lasted seven years. And as far as Tim's advice, it is very easy to believe that the "authorities" can deal with these types of situations, but it's very different when you're in it. I remember one night, calling 911 (after my ex had TOLD me I'd better do that!), but when he warned me before they got there that I'd made a "big mistake," I wound up giving them the whole "I'm sorry, I must have overreacted, there's really no problem here, I'm just premenstrual, etc." speech out of fear of him. I wrote down a few verses in my journal last night that might apply to this, although we might be straying off-topic again here: “He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” (Psalm 101:7) “Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.” (Psalm 139:21-22) “What fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14) “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.” (Prov 22:24-25) “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Prov 13:20) “Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.” (Prov 29:24) “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Cor 15:33) “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph 5:6) I believe these verses could apply to my friend's dilemma -- God hates lying, and we should think very carefully before making alliances and covenants with liars. You say that all suffering is holy to some degree. But what makes it holy, if it cannot come under the umbrella of Col 1:24? Peace, --Cheryl |
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4 | How is suffering holy? | Col 1:24 | Searcher56 | 45930 | ||
Cheryl, STOP trying to say your abusive marriage was suffering for Christ, unless you were a Christian and he was not and he was abusive SOLELY because you were. Searcher | ||||||
5 | How is suffering holy? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45941 | ||
Whoa there, Searcher... I have said nothing of the sort! I have merely been asking questions and trying to explore this issue as fully as possible. I have made no statements regarding mine or anyone else's suffering in this regard. I am sorry if I offended you or anyone. I think it's time we drop this thread now. We seem to have exhausted the subject, wouldn't you say? Peace, --Cheryl |
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