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On Suffering: Look Up, Not Down!

Suffering is an issue that effects all of us. My intent is to help us understand suffering as a Christian and encourage us to look up, not down.

From a biblical perspective, human suffering is a result of evil. There would be no sin without the presence of evil. Many times we want to go to Genesis 3 and identify Adam and Eve as the ones who sinned and caused suffering. Actually, we need to go back much further to the disobedience of Satan who chose to serve himself rather than God. He gave Eve misinformation that encouraged her to disobey God because Satan told Eve that God could not be trusted. The results were catastrophic not only for Adam and Eve but for the entire human race.

Robert D. Culver states, Evil is allowed in the world for reasons God has never seen fit fully to disclose and which human wisdom has not discovered. I surely don’t have simple answers concerning the relationship of God’s omnipotence, and goodness to the presence of evil. But, I do have a faith in God Who is faithful, omnipotent, and good. I don’t know all things now but I am thankful that I have a personal relationship with the One Who knows all things. On the basis of looking up to God and not down to man, let’s see how we can deal with suffering that has already come and more that will assuredly come in the future. John Newton (18th), Many have puzzled themselves about the origin of evil. I am content to observe that there is evil, and that there is a way to escape from it, and with this I begin and end.

Let’s examine suffering in the light of Scripture.

MAKING SENSE OF SUFFERING WHICH CAN SEEM SO SENSELESS

A. Why bad things happen to Christians

• For instruction/obedience, Hebrews 5:8, Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

• For discipline, Revelation 3:19, Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

• For conformity, Philippians 3:10, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

• For spiritual growth, James 1:2-4, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• For comfort and to be comforters, 2 Corinthians 1:4, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

• For the future, 2 Corinthians 4:17, For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

B. Appropriate responses to suffering for Christians

Concerning the Father and the Son

• Don’t blame God, Romans 8:28, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Thomas Aquinas (13th), God is so powerful that he can direct any evil to a good end. Romans 8:28 does not declare that Christians will not suffer but that God will see us through the suffering.

• Accept God’s grace, Paul David Tripp, God’s grace is not just about your past forgiveness and your future hope but also about everything you’re facing right now. God’s grace often does its best and brightest work when things are the darkest and most difficult.

• Acknowledge God’s love, Christopher Morgan, In Christ’s suffering on the cross divine love and justice meet. The cross is the supreme manifestation of God’s love for sinners.

• Accept what Jesus did, Hebrews 2:9, But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

• Trust God, 1 Peter 4:19, Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. John Feinberg, God never promised to give you tomorrow’s grace for today. He only promised today’s grace for today, and that’s all you need!

• Take your concerns to God, 1 Peter 5:7, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Paul Claudel, Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it. He came to fill it with his presence.

• Experience the nearness of God, James 4:8, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. A.W. Tozer, Every man is as close to God as he wants to be. Do you want to be out of your troubles instead of into the arms of your heavenly Father?

• Know Jesus instead of just knowing about Jesus, Joni Eareckson Tada, When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, while imitating him and quoting about him and speaking of him. But only in the fellowship of suffering will we know Jesus. We identify with him at the point of his deepest humiliation. The cross, symbol of his greatest suffering, becomes our personal touch-point with the Lord of the universe ... Without a doubt, what helps us most in accepting and dealing with suffering is an adequate view of God—learning who he is and knowing he is in control. Christians are not called to work for Jesus but allow Jesus to work through us.

• Look up - not down, 1 Peter 5:10, And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Paul David Tripp, ... recount all the ways that God in love has guided you, provided for you, protected you, and met you with his grace and mercy. Continuously remember the sign posts of God's grace in your life.

Personal Do’s

• Have a testimony and share it, C. Samuel Storms, God does not witness to the world by taking his people out of suffering, but rather by demonstrating his grace through them in the midst of pain.

• Choose dependence, Dan McCartney, ... suffering has the effect of increasing the believer's awareness of his dependence on Christ.

• Accept suffering as your calling, Philippians 1:29, For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

• Have hope, Dan McCartney, ... the reward for persevering in suffering to the end is glory, glory unimaginable, glory so overwhelming that John in Revelation 20 and 21 can only describe it in fantastic pictures, borrowing from the language of Isaiah and Ezekiel, who themselves were having to search for words to describe what they saw.

• Be equipped, 1 Peter 4:1, Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. William Bridge, Suffering times are teaching times.

• Be humble, 1 Peter 5:6, Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

• Be a good example, 1 Peter 2:12, Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

• Resist the devil, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

• Keep on rejoicing, 1 Peter 1:6, In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. Paul David Tripp, ... the way to defeat the dangerous potential of complaint is not by silence but by praise.

• Pursue ministry success, In Acts 11:19 the “scattering” of the church due to persecution is actually the means God uses to spread the gospel outside of Jerusalem.

Personal Don’ts

• Don’t be surprised, 1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Augustine (354-430), God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.

• Don’t be confused, Paul David Tripp, Our blessings are never payment for the good we’ve done, and our trials are never punishment for the wrongs we’ve done.

• Don’t be afraid, 1 Peter 3:14-15, But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

• Don’t be ashamed, 1 Peter 4:16, Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

C. A summary of biblical truths concerning God, evil, sin and mankind

• God is not the author of sin.

• God is a fellow sufferer with mankind.

• God alone has the solution for sin - His Son.

• There will be a time of judgment.

I encourage each of us to look up-not down. There will be a sinless new heaven and earth. Suffering is not ultimate - God is! Difficulty doesn’t control your fate - God does! Hardship doesn’t define you - God does. Therefore, look to our Heavenly Father and not down at our sufferings which one day will all be washed away.

The Characteristics of a Christian

INTRODUCTION

A. Importance of the Letter of Paul to the Colossians

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae, around 60 A.D. while he was Imprisoned in Rome. He had never been there. The church was founded by those he discipled in his church plant in Ephesus. Two men from Colossae trained by Paul included Epaphras and Onesimus. His letter to those in Colossae focused on Christian doctrine which gives instruction against heresy. It is likely that Epaphras took a report to Paul concerning heresy in Colossae.

B. The nature of heresy in Colossae

Judaism

From the founding of the church in Jerusalem, many tried to include OT regulations to Christianity. Paul addressed circumcision in his letter to the Colossians, note Colossians 2:11 and 3:11. There are discussions of dietary regulations and Jewish holidays in Colossians 2:16. The mention of angel worship had become an issue in Judaism and the church, Colossians 2:18.

Gnosticism

The basic premise of this heresy is that matter is evil and good may only be found in the spirit world. There was an emphasis on knowledge - salvation became a matter of knowledge and not faith. Conclusions derived from Gnosticism. Jesus did not have a physical body because matter is evil. Therefore, Jesus could not save mankind because He did not become flesh and blood. Some became ascetics (abstainers) since our bodies are matter and therefore are evil, Colossians 2:23, These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Others declared that since our bodies are evil, it does not matter how much we sin.

C. Threads of heresy in Colossae

Spiritual fulness: The false teachers declared they had something that had not been experienced before. Note Hebrews 1:1-2, Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Superior knowledge: the false teachers offered initiation into deep spiritual truths of God. Paul emphasized the sufficiency of Christ, Colossians 2:8-10, See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Superior insight: They proclaimed that insight into the powers of evil was available. Paul taught of protection from evil instead of being familiar with evil, Colossians 2:15, He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Superior attitude: there was an elitist, critical attitude toward ordinary believers. Paul encouraged the Colossians to realize that Christ is our only hope, Colossians 2:16-17, Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS’ SPIRITUAL GROWTH, COLOSSIANS 1:9-14

A. Paul prayed that they would receive Godly knowledge (9), And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

• Paul and his companions prayed that the Colossians’ would be filled with knowledge of God’s will concerning moral and religious truth.

• Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

• Wisdom and understanding refers to the ability to properly apply spiritual truth to one’s life through discernment obtained by the Holy Spirit, not false teachers.

B. Paul prayed for Godly knowledge because it produces Godly behavior (10a), so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:

• Walk is used by Paul in the Hebrew context, an ethical sense, to conduct one’s life.

• 1 Peter 1:15, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

• It is a lofty goal to walk in a manner pleasing that pleases the Lord. Thankfully, Paul gives four qualities in verses 10-14 that demonstrate a Christ pleasing life. This is not what we must do to earn salvation but qualities of those who have been saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ alone.

C. Paul’s list of characteristics of Godly behavior (10b-14)

1. To be spiritually productive (10b), bearing fruit in every good work

• A result of increased spiritual knowledge should be a life which produces good works, Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

• Max Anders, Good works are not a means to achieve salvation, but a natural result of it. Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

2. To be growing in truth (10c), increasing in the knowledge of God;

• Knowing God better develops Godly behavior, R Kent Hughes, ...the more one knows of Him, the more one wants to serve Him.

• Humility is necessary for spiritual understanding, Psalm 25:9, He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

3. To be strengthened for adversity (11), being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

• It is God’s ongoing work in our lives that strengthens Christians, Ephesians 3:16, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

• It is God’s power that gives Christians the strength to do good works, Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

• Joy is not based on circumstances but our future hope, Matthew 5:12, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

4. To show gratitude to God (12a), giving thanks to the Father,

• The emphasis of giving thanks to the Father is with joy giving thanks which looks back to verse 11.

• Joy is a state of gladness, well-being not based on circumstances, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

C. Reasons why Christians should be thankful (12a-14)

1. There is an inheritance to be received (12b), who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

• God has made believers competent by His grace to receive an inheritance, Max Anders, We don’t qualify ourselves by our moral achievements or personal worthiness. In grace, God qualifies us when we trust Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sin.

• This inheritance is for every Christian, Acts 20:32, And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

• This inheritance is in the kingdom of light, Revelation 21:23-25, And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

2. There is a transfer for Christians to the authority of Jesus from the domain of Satan (13), He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

• God rescued believers from destruction, Ephesians 6:12, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

• He delivered believers from the domain of darkness, 1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

• Believers are now under the authority of the kingdom of Jesus.

3. There is a positive change of spiritual condition (14), in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• Forgiveness of sins is not a definition of redemption but a feature of redemption.

• Redemption is a rescue paid only by the death of Jesus, Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

• Redemption is not only a transfer from one ruler to another, it is an inner change of life. We are not the same people in a new location but new creations, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself...

SUMMARY

• All the spirituality one could ever hope for is summed up in Christ.

• The reason for spiritual knowledge is to enable Christians to live what they believe.

• Christians are to be thankful despite difficult circumstances because our hope is in heaven since Jesus delivered us from darkness to His glorious light.