The Sovereignty of God in Suffering - VII

7.  Conclusion: How Then Should We View Suffering? 

It should be clear that suffering on this globe is our lot. Not that we should go looking for suffering. We should be ready and willing to bear whatever suffering comes our way, just as Christ bore His cross. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was hung by the Nazis for living out his faith, wrote, 

“Jesus must therefore make it clear beyond all doubt that the “must” of suffering applies to his disciples no less than to himself. Just as Christ is Christ only in virtue of his suffering and rejection, so the disciple is a disciple only in so far as he shares his Lord’s suffering and rejection and crucifixion. Discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the Law of Christ which is the law of the cross.”[1] 

Acts 5:41 “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” 

All through Acts there is a sense of joy in suffering. God’s people were rejoicing as they suffered. Not because they were masochistic, but because they knew God would be glorified. We also should rejoice in suffering for the glorious name of Christ. 

Deitrich Bonhoeffer said it well: 

“The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ…When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”[2] 

“Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ…” Deitrich Bonhoeffer 

Romans 5:3-5 “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." 

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 

We look forward, past the suffering of this life, to the future. We are not home here. We are in a distant country, and as we pause here and set up our tents, we look forward to our homecoming. Christ awaits us in glory. We will one day be with Him there, where there will be no pain, no tears, no sorrow – we will finally understand life without suffering. 

However, while we are still “on the worst vacation ever”[3], what should our outlook regarding suffering be? 

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, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”

 This verse would seem to indicate that suffering is a gift from God, in the same way as faith is a gift. It has been granted to us that we should suffer for His sake. This reminds me of Matthew 5, where it states “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 While suffering began with the rebellion of men and the curse of God, God has in His mercy redeemed suffering so that it is no longer a curse. It is a good thing, an amazing thing…because it is planned by God and used by Him for our good and for His glory.  Elizabeth Kendal writes, 

            "But as was seen in the cross, suffering can be a powerful thing. For on the cross Christ redeemed      suffering, transforming the instrument of Satan into the means of God's saving grace. Christ     graciously gives life by means of his death, and to those who by faith receive his life he says, "Take up your cross and follow me." "Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he            endured" (Hebrews 13:13, ESV). In the cross, redemption and rejection, salvation and suffering are    inseparable."[4] 

Romans 8:29 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” 

We were "predestined to be conformed..." How are we conformed to the image of his Son, Christ? 

1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 

John Calvin wrote, 

"...a Christian, even in repose, must always have one foot lifted to march to battle, and not only so, but he must have his affections withdrawn from the world although his body is dwelling in it. Grant that this at first sight seems to us hard; still, we must be satisfied with the words of Saint Paul, "We are called and appointed to suffer." As if he had said, Such is our condition as Christians; this is the road by which we must go if we would follow Christ."[5] 

We’re conformed to the image of Christ when we follow in His steps along the path of suffering and obedience. The road is narrow, but Jesus’ footprints are clearly seen. Calvin writes, 

"...in suffering for the cause of God, we are walking step by step after the Son of God and have him for our guide."[6] 

We’re blessed when we are persecuted. And suffering is granted to us. Why should we have this outlook? Because Satan is not in control here! God is sovereign over your suffering, and He has ordained that good will come of it (all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose…). This is why we have hope, and this is why we rejoice in our suffering. As we suffer, our trust in God leads to conformity to Christ. And if we become like Him in His death, suffering for Him as His servant, we will know the glory of these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant”. 

Philippians 3:8-11 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” 

Hebrews 13:13 “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” 

We’re told to glorify God in our suffering. 

1 Peter 4:16-19 - "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." 

Why should we be unashamed of our suffering? John Calvin says it well: 

"It is true that in the world's judgment there is disgrace in suffering for the Gospel. But since we know that unbelievers are blind, ought we not to have better eyes than they?"[7] 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

It says all circumstances. Good and bad. God does not delight in our suffering, but we ought to thank Him for all circumstances, including circumstances of suffering and pain. When we are suffering through a trial, we are still in God's perfect will. God never forgets His perfect plan which He executes for our good and His glory. He never forgets about us. He is faithful.   

Jim Bowers said this: 

“We don’t always understand God’s plans…but we can still accept them and continue to obey God, no matter what He chooses to bring into our lives.”[8] 

If there is one thing to take from this study, it’s this: When we suffer, it does not mean we are somehow outside of God’s control. When we suffer, it does not mean that God didn’t mean for it to happen. God is always in control of our lives and circumstances, and He means what is happening for good, no matter how bad it might seem. Our choice is whether or not we glorify Him through our suffering as we should. Let the fires of adversity burn; God is still sovereign. Trust Him! 

"He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitible? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is transient, often short lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul - short life? ... Make me thy fuel, Flame of God."  Jim Elliot

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[1] From The Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, p.96

[2] From The Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, p.99

[3] My little brother, Christopher, upon hearing that this world is not our home, and we're just sojourners here, just living in "tents" and looking forward to our REAL home, exclaimed, "This is the worst vacation ever!"  I think he's right.

[4] Elizabeth Kendal, http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/the-redeeming-blood-and-the-suffering-body

[5] John Calvin, “On Persecution”, Speeches That Changed the World

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] “If God Should Choose”, p.201