Subject: Suffering and God's providence |
Bible Note: Hi Mark, 1 Pet 4:19 – It is “according to the will of God,” not that they suffer but that they go through the suffering in a godly manner (cf. v.12-16). 1 Pet 2 – Again, is it said the suffering itself is commendable or is it how one endures the suffering that is commendable? The example that Jesus left us was not merely that he suffered but that he remained faithful to God despite it (cf. v.22). Heb 2:10 - Jesus was made “perfect through suffering” only because of how he responded to it (cf. v.13). Note, also, he is made perfect “through” suffering and not “because” of it. Heb 5:8 - Jesus did learn obedience by what he suffered. But, yet again, his it was specifically to suffer on our behalf. However, suffering can either draw a person towards or away from God. There is no virtue in suffering itself. There is virtue on how one thinks and acts through suffering. I think it was Augustine who said something to the effect that it is not martyrdom that makes the martyr but the reason for which he is killed. You said, “Remember, not everything Jesus suffered was specifically required for our redemption,” etc. The suffering of Christ is unique. God sent Christ specifically to be a bloody victim in order to redeem man. Everything suffered was required. In this respect, we cannot follow His example. In any case, Jesus’ suffering does not necessarily mean suffering is something God intended for all believers or anyone else. Phil 1:29 - Note that the apostle is speaking within the context of conduct (v.27), struggle (v.30), and believing (v.29a). Conducting ourselves “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” through all that opposes faith and the gospel is what, I believe, the apostle is stressing and not suffering per se. There is no argument that suffering for Christ is a privilege, However, how sane would you consider one to be who went looking to suffer yelling, “Here! Here! Kick me! Hit Me! I’m a Christian”? I do not think the persecuted brothers and sisters in China or North Korea do this. Suffering for Christ is a privilege but not merely because a believer suffers but because it is for whom he suffers. Phil. 3:10 – In the context of considering everything as loss (v.7-8) Paul desires to share in Christ’s sufferings (cf. 2:7a). Also, Paul is not stressing a desire to suffer per se but a desire to know Christ by experiencing that power that raised him from the dead, which can only come through our own self-emptying and the godly endurance, even if it be to the point of physical death, such emptying demands. He did not seek or desire suffering; he sought the person and power of Christ to live in him (Gal 2:20) at whatever cost. Is 53:10 - Again, the suffering of Christ is unique and will never be repeated by anyone. However, can it be imagined that the Father was joyful to see His only Son suffer? If the death of his saints grieves God (Ps 116:15 Tanakh), how much more does the death of his only Son? James 1:2 – James is encouraging us to godly endurance through suffering; nowhere does he say God intended them to suffer. He does suggest that God is using the difficulties to test if one’s faith is genuine. Suffering in itself will not produce the qualities James enumerates. It depends on the person trusting God. The “chisel” that forms one’s faith is the same “chisel” that can break another’s. If the work needing to be accomplished can only be done through suffering, it is not because God intended it but because, under the circumstances, God permits it. As I read the Bible, I am of the view that God would rather not use the “chisel” but would rather we simply believe and obey through faith in his goodness. However, if one is really to believe that God’s intention is to teach his children through suffering, it needs asking, what lesson does a child learn by being raped? What would we think of the character of a father who brutally beat their child to a bloody pulp to correct them? There seem to me to be only one lesson learned through suffering and that is it hurts. The Bible says it is divine kindness, not suffering, that leads to repentance (Rom 2:4). I am not denying that suffering, under the present circumstances, has no place. It does when necessary where no other devices of kindness work. But then, that is suffering used in divine judgment (Rom 10:22). |