Struggles Part Deux
22 March 2010A comment is the impetus for returning to this topic. Jenn Chimed in with this to say:
This is not a “popular” message among Christians today, Ron, but one that deperately needs to be shared. Christians who are struggling are often treated with contempt by the Church, as if their struggles are a sign that they are out of fellowship with God in some way. The truth is that when we make a commitment to serve God, we make ourselves a target of the enemy of God – Satan – and this is often the reason for our struggle. Too many in the Church don’t want to hear that.
My first “Struggles” post dealt with the idea that a good God wouldn’t allow people to suffer and the notion that struggle is actually good for us. But Jenn brings up a good point. There are those in the church who believe that faithful Christians are supposed to live uncomplicated, successful lives. They believe that if we are suffering it must be the result of our own sin.
This was a notion not unknown in Jesus day and clearly, from the story of Job, we know it was common in his day as well But what does the Bible actually say on this point?
John 9:1-3 says,
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
The disciples clearly thought as many Christians today think. Jesus had a different view. That is, the struggles we go through and the things we suffer are ultimately for His glory! In the case of the man born blind, it gave Jesus the opportunity to heal him and point people to God. But healing isn’t the only way God is glorified. Often the opposite is true. Indeed, a faithful Christian going through suffering can be one of the most inspiring things you’ll ever see because that person draws people to Jesus.
But there are other reasons for suffering. As I mentioned in the comments, Jesus made this point clearly in John 15:20:
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
The fact is, being a true disciple of Jesus comes at a cost. The enemy will come against you if he perceives you as a threat. Conversely, any Christian that never suffers attack is obviously no threat to the enemy. If that describes you, perhaps you should reevaluate your relationship with Jesus.
Rom 8:16-19 says,
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Notice the conditional clause “provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” It certainly looks like suffering is a requirement of glorification. Paul goes on to point out the the temporary suffering we face in this life isn’t “worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
James 1:2-4 says,
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The Bible has much to say about the suffering and struggles of the saints and nowhere does it even suggest that faithfulness leads to a pain free life or prosperity or anything desirable in terms of this world. Indeed, we are told that “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” Those who seek an easy life and prosperity are storing up treasures on earth, not in heaven.
We are strangers here on earth. This is not our home and when we think like it is we find ourselves unable to grow in Christ.
I no longer seek to avoid struggles because I know they are part of God’s plan and they focus my attention on the cross. And the fact is, I have no control, however much it may look to me that I do. So I look to the Lord for the strength to carry me through the trials and to teach me what I need to learn from them.
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