CIM Briefing Papers

C.I.M. Outline #7

                  REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS SUFFER

The question of suffering relates to the larger question of why
God allows evil in the world.  Ultimately this is a mystery
since God Himself is wholly good and is all-powerful in that He
could prevent it.  What we do see in Scripture is that evil and
its ensuing suffering are purposeful in God's plan.  It might be
helpful to liken God's eternal plan to a weaving.  The under
side of a weaving compared to the top is often unsightly.  Many
times our perspective of things is comparable to viewing a
weaving from the wrong side!


I.  Four Important Ground Rules:

    A.  God is sovereign.  There is not one stray electron loose
        in the universe that is not under His control.  This
        should be a great comfort to believers.

    B.  The world today is not in its normal or natural state. 
        God did not create it like it is.  The world today is
        under the curse of sin.  See Genesis 3:14ff and Romans
        8:18ff.  All suffering is therefore related to the Fall.

    C.  In God's providence rain falls on the fields of just and
        unjust alike, so also will the just and unjust
        experience the malevolent side of nature.  The just are
        not immune from natural disaster.

    D.  For the Christian, all suffering is purposeful and
        meaningful.  Even accidents are not accidents!  While
        God may not give us all the answers about the suffering
        we are going through according to our own timetable, He
        does indicate that we have the right to ask.  See James
        1:2ff


II.  Three Important Promises:

     A.  God knows our limits.  We will be tested; we will
         suffer, but God knows how much we can bear.  "No
         temptation (a testing) has seized you except what is
         common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let
         you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you
         are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you
         can stand up under it." I Cor. 10:13.

     B.  The Christian may experience pain but God promises that
         out of our pain and suffering good will ultimately
         result.  For the believer, all suffering is purposeful
         and works towards God's goal of making us like his Son. 
         Nothing could be more absurd than to think that our
         suffering might be without purpose.  Outside of Christ
         there are no answers to suffering.  All of life then
         becomes absurd.  "And we know that in all things God
         works for the good of those who love him, who have been
         called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28.

     C.  The curse of sin which results in pain and suffering
         will someday be lifted.  Victory is predestined.  "He
         will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no
         more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old
         order of things has passed away."  Revelation 21:4.

III.  Three Categories of Suffering:

      A.  Natural Consequences.  Christians cannot always escape
          the malevolent side of nature.  A farmer may be
          devastated by a storm or a child by disease.  This is
          not necessarily to be seen as God's judgement for sin. 
          The laws of nature must also be respected.  If the law
          of gravity is violated suffering will result!

      B.  Moral Consequences.  There are moral laws just as
          there are physical laws.  Great evil results when God's
          laws are violated, e.g. divorce 

      C.  Metaphysical.  Evil and suffering can result from
          Satan.  Satan was behind Christ's suffering on the
          cross.  Satan directly controlled Judas.

IV.  Biblical Reasons why Christians Suffer:

     Ultimately suffering is to make the believer more like
     Christ.  Suffering is utilized by God in the sanctification
     process.

     A.  To Glorify God.  When Christians are victorious in
         suffering it is a powerful witness to unbelievers. 
         This seems to be the thrust of much of I Peter.

     B.  To bring a believer closer to God.  Suffering can result
         in spiritual growth; it purifies and enlarges faith.

     C.  To instruct the believer about the nature of God. 
         Through suffering the believer can learn about God's
         faithfulness.  See Paul's experience in II Cor. 12.

     D.  To make the believer more effective in ministry. 
         Sometimes the suffering we go through enables us to
         minister more empathetically with those who are going
         through the same suffering.  See II Cor. 1:3,4.

     E.  Some suffering is disciplinary because of personal sin. 
         Because God is a loving heavenly father He disciplines
         us.  See Hebrews 12:5ff.

     F.  Because of the sin of others.  Sometimes Christians
         suffer because of other's sin.  Currently the whole
         Body of Christ suffers because of the sin of fallen
         leaders.
    
 
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