Why God Allows Suffering
By John of the Gentiles
When bad things happen, many people will question how God can let this be so.
But all believers must suffer in this life; know that you do not suffer alone.
We as saints are to suffer as Jesus also suffered.
Satan is the ruler of this world.
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. John 16:11
and believers will suffer under his yoke.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1Jo 5:19
Do not question God or curse His name when you are suffering and so show yourself unworthy of attaining eternal life.
Praise God all the more and rejoice that your names are written in heaven:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. – Psalms 34:19
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye:
and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;” – 1 Peter 3:14
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. – 1 Peter 5:9
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” – Philippians 1:29 (See also Philippians 3:10)
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – 1 Peter 4:13
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:
for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;” – 1 Peter 4:1
We must suffer because we have sinned:
“I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me:
he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” – Micah 7:9
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” – 1 Peter 4:19
We must suffer as Jesus did:
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1Pe 2:20-23
Scripture tells us that all that are to obtain the eternal beatitude of Christ must be persecuted in this world, and we must enter into the kingdom of heaven through much tribulation and anguish.
Augustine of Hippo (/ɔːˈɡʌstɪn/ aw-GUST-in, US also /ˈɔːɡəstiːn/ AW-gə-steen; Latin: Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings deeply influenced the development of Western philosophy and Western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. His many important works include The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Confessions.
This truth is well expressed in the following words of St. Augustine:
“Marvel not, brother, if after becoming a Christian you are assailed by many troubles.
For Christ is our Head, and, as His members, we must follow and imitate, not only Him, but His life and sufferings.
The life of Christ was closely beset with all manner of:
- tribulations
- poverty
- insult
- mockery
- scorn
- sorrow
and acute bodily suffering; and it is clear that if you would obtain the life of Christ, you must, like Him, become perfect through suffering.
For without these afflictions and tribulations we cannot come to God.
Saint Peter (born 1 BC as Shimon Bar Yonah; died AD 64–68), also known as Peter the Apostle, Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon, or Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church. He appears repeatedly and prominently in all four New Testament gospels, as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Catholic and Orthodox tradition treats Peter as the first bishop of Rome – or pope – and also as the first bishop of Antioch.
A man who would enter Paradise must go through fire and water, whether he be Peter, to whom the keys of heaven were entrusted, or Paul, a chosen vessel of God, or John, to whom all the secrets of God were revealed.
Paul, also named Saul of Tarsus, commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, was a Christian apostle (c. 5 – c. 64/65 AD) who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world. For his contributions towards the New Testament, he is generally regarded as one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age, and he also founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe from the mid-40s to the mid-50s AD.
Every brother must enter the kingdom of heaven through much tribulation…
Let not the blasphemies and reckless judgment of the wicked world trouble the true Christian, against whom they are directed:
for the Devil and his servants have at all times done to the followers of Christ what they did to Christ Himself.” – The Waterstone of the Wise Part IV
Suffering is a test of the genuineness of our faith:
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” – James 1:12
Our suffering reveals the genuineness of our faith (See 1 Peter 1:6-7).
Though we must suffer, we will be rewarded:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. – Romans 8:15-17
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Matthew 5:11-12
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” – 1 Peter 5:10
James 5:13 tells us when you are suffering you should pray.
Is any among you afflicted?
let him pray.
Is any merry?
let him sing psalms.
See also these Psalms, concerning suffering:
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water:
but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Psalms 66:8-12
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Psalms 71:20-21
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. Psa 73:13-14
Suffering is not without its rewards.
Your future reward is partially determined by the extent of your suffering in this life.
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Psa 90:15
Jesus suffered greatly and great is his reward.
Those who suffer little will be rewarded little, comparable to the difference between being designated a gatekeeper in the house of the LORD,
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psa 84:10
instead of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as Jesus is so designated.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelations 19:16
“The objects of our regard do not last merely for the present, nor do we pursue the things that are seen; and, if you too are minded to turn your look towards our hope and promised recompense, possibly you will even say with Paul:
The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which is to be revealed in us.” – Martyrdom of Shamuna, Guria and Habib
CHURCH FATHERS: Martyrdom of Shamuna, Guria and Habib (Simeon Metaphrastes)
Suffering is a requirement.
Suffer patiently and great shall be your future reward.
Amen.
Come Lord Jesus!
Little season shills are false – The Next Exodus