Liturgics - 8

 

The 2nd Chapter. What is the biblical meaning of suffering?

 

“If you commit a sin and are beaten and endure it, what credit is there for that?

However, if you endure suffering while doing good, it is a beautiful thing in the eyes of God.

For this very thing you were called.

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:20-21).

 

There are many people who enjoy being blessed and successful, but there are probably no people who enjoy suffering.

All Christians are perplexed and shocked when unexpected hardships come upon them.

Moreover, the faith that “count it all joy when you meet trials of many kinds (James 1:12), do not be ashamed when you suffer (2 Tim. 1:12), and suffer along with the gospel (2 Tim. 1:18).” It is difficult to accept advice.

Because I have not learned the meaning of suffering.

 

Suffering is one of the important themes in the Bible and religious life.

In this sinful world ruled by Satan, who has held the power of the public since Adam, Christians must live according to God's will as saved people, so suffering is inevitable (2 Timothy 3:12).

 

By allowing suffering, God sanctifies Christians so that they do not belong to this world, but live with pride in being God's people and with the hope of heaven (Philippians 1:29, Colossians 3:1-3).

So we wish there were no suffering, but contrary to what we think, the Bible claims that suffering is God's grace, love, sanctification, and a means of education that are essential for Christians.

 

Moses testified about life in the wilderness in the Book of Numbers, saying that the purpose of the suffering of the Israelites after their exodus was “to humble you and test you, and in the end to bless you (Deuteronomy 8:16).”

Through the hardships of the wilderness school, he wanted to train God's people in serving only God, in obedience, in prayer, in dependence on God alone, in sanctification, and in strengthening their faith.

Because He loved them (Deuteronomy 8:2-10,16).

 

Apostle Paul also claimed that salvation and suffering are God’s grace and love, “It was given to you by grace for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29).”

Then, let us look at the biblical meaning of suffering and see how Christians should think about the meaning of suffering and wisely deal with the suffering that comes their way.

 

1. Suffering for Test Abraham(Deu 8:2, Gen 22:12)

 

First, there is a trial suffering, which is a suffering by God's providence that distinguishes between the elect and the unelected, as well as fake Christians and filters out the remnant.

God wants to separate the wheat from the chaff and save and bless the remnant (Isaiah 10:22, Romans 9:27, 11:5). So, God uses suffering (1 Peter 1:5-7) along with Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12), heresy (Deuteronomy 12:2-3), self-lust (James 1:13-15), and deception (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

God meets and satisfies our needs (Isaiah 58:11), but He does not satisfy human indiscriminate desires (James 1:14-15).

In this testing ordeal called to sacrifice his son, Abraham knew God's heart and triumphed through resurrection faith (Hebrews 11:17-19), but Judas Iscariot, an immature disciple, betrayed Jesus and turned away and failed (Acts 1:25) ).

To this test, fake Christians react with resentment, frustration, betrayal, and opposition, revealing the true nature of their lack of faith.

 

1) Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness these forty years, to humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not (Deuteronomy 8:2).

 

2) The angel said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me” (Genesis 22:12).

 

Hymn: Yield not to Temptation 

1. Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;

Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;

Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;

Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

      Refrain) Ask the Savior to help you,

                   Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;

                   He is willing to aid you,

                   He will carry you through.

2. Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,

God’s name hold in rev’rence, nor take it in vain;

Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true;

Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

 

3. To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,

Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;

He who is our Savior, our strength will renew;

Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

 

2. Suffering for Discipline(Heb 12:8, Ps 51:11)

 

Disciplinary suffering refers to the whipping of love that rebukes and corrects Christians when they commit sins (Ephesians 6:4). For unbelievers, there is judgment and tribulation due to condemnation for their sins, but for believers, there is no suffering of punishment.

However, there is only a tribulation of discipline to correct them and warn them of their sins so that they can realize their mistakes and return to live a life of gender (1 Peter 2:20, 4:1-3).

The punishment of condemnation that God imposes on His children has already been resolved on the cross (Romans 8:33-34, Hebrews 10:12), and He corrects, warns, and admonishes them so that they are not dragged by the power of sin when they commit sin.

​

Condemnation focuses on the past and has the goal of punishing past sins. However, the goal of discipline is correction and maturity for the future. The attitude of condemnation is frustration and anger, but the attitude of admonition is forgiveness, love and concern. Thus, the result of condemnation is guilt and distance, and the result of admonition is politeness and intimacy. The purpose of this disciplinary suffering is holiness and ends with repentance (Hebrews 12:10). David's repentance from his sin is a good example (Psalm 35:1-11). The suffering of punishment for sin and punishment is also called Deuteronomy suffering (Deuteronomy 28:15, 58-59, Job 4:7).

 

1) If you lack discipline, which you deserve, you are illegitimate and not true sons (Hebrews 12:8).

2) Cast me not away from your presence, and do not take away your Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:11). It is God who justifies; who then condemns? (Romans 8:33-34).

3) Behold, blessed are those whom God disciplines; therefore do not despise the warning of the Almighty (Job 5:17).

 

Hymn: I must tell Jesus  

1. I must tell Jesus all of my trials;

I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me;

He ever loves and cares for His own.

 

       Refrain) I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

                     I cannot bear my burdens alone;

                     I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

                    Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

 

2. I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;

He is a kind, compassionate Friend;

If I but ask Him, He will deliver,

And in my griefs with me He will blend.

 

3. Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,

One who can help my burdens to bear;

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;

He all my cares and sorrows will share,

 

4. O how the world to evil allures me!

O how my heart is tempted to sin!

I must tell Jesus; He will enable

Over the world the vic’try to win.