Total depravity: not the believer's reality

I have had discussions in the past concerning the doctrine of total depravity. I believe the doctrine of total depravity is true, yet I feel I must write concerning the doctrine's misuse*, especially when it comes to total depravity and believers.

What is total depravity?
The doctrine of total depravity as I understand it runs thus:

Because of the fall (Genesis 3), man is unable by or of himself to believe in the gospel of salvation. Man is from birth rebellious against God. He is dead, blind and deaf to the things of God (Matthew 13:13). His heart is corrupted, his will is bound to Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2), and his inclination is constantly towards evil (Genesis 6:5). This depravity affects man physically, mentally, and spiritually, so that every part (the total) is depraved.

Are believers totally depraved?
You tell me: according to the historical definition of total depravity, can believers properly be defined as remaining in this state? Are believers unable to believe in the gospel of salvation (Acts 15:11)? Then how are they believers? Are they rebellious against God? Then how are they united to Him (Romans 6:5)? Are they dead, blind and deaf to the things of God? Then how can they have a relationship with Him (Galatians 4:6)? Are their hearts corrupted? Then why does God say He has given them a new, clean heart (Ezekiel 11:19)? Is their will bound to Satan? Then why does God say He has set us free (Galatians 5:1)? Is their inclination constantly towards evil? Then why does the Bible say believers desire the heavenly (Hebrews 11:16)? Why do they seek to be Christlike?

In answer to the question, I say no, believers are not totally depraved. Total depravity is a pre-Christ state. It is what we were, not what we are. When we are in Christ, we are set free, changed, renewed, redeemed, forgiven, restored, adopted, sanctified, glorified, justified…the change is endless (1 Corinthians 6:11, Romans 8:30). We are a new creation. The old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are recreated in Christ Jesus. Reborn. We have the indwelling Spirit. We abide in the Vine. Our eyes are opened, our ears can hear, and our hearts can respond to the gospel.

Does this mean believers don’t sin? Not at all. We sin and struggle on every plane, physically, mentally and spiritually. The effects of total depravity still linger in us. But believers are not totally depraved. That is not our condition. Not according to the historical definition, which indicated and indicates unsaved people. The doctrine of total depravity is not meant to define Christians, but to define humanity. We have a new existence in Christ Jesus. God sees us differently in Christ than outside of Him. Christ makes a difference - a major one. We have to consider our familial reality.

We still speak of being totally depraved in terms of acknowledging one side of the coin, which is our dependency upon Christ in all things. We are weak. But the reality is that, not only do we as believers depend on Christ for everything, but Christ fulfills every dependency we have! He is our strength when we are weak. This is why we are pronounced clean. This is why the epistles declare believers saints, not sinners. Our identity is changed. God has removed us from our sin, separating them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He has drowned our sins in the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

The believer's reality
Our reality is settled in Christ. The ability that we have been given is only by God’s grace in enabling us to do the good works He has foreordained (Ephesians 2:8-10). He has called us to act in righteousness, and He provides the way for us to do so. My ability to be good is not some sort of apart-from-Christ merit. Apart from Christ we can do nothing – but this implies that in and with Christ, we can do something.

We are the Body of Christ. Christ works through us in order to bring about His will on earth. There is an intriguing relationship between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. People pray for the salvation of a friend, and when the friend is saved they glorify God, not thinking that their prayer was the means, yet their prayer was the instrument God used in order to bring about His sovereign will in saving the friend. This is a glorious truth: God includes us in His plan and purpose. He is active in relationship with His people. He moves and creates and speaks and involves us. He allows us to participate in doing good works for His glory. That’s why we share the gospel or serve others in love: not to “be good”, but because God is good and He has allowed us a part to play.

Live, then, in the light and the joy of this reality. Live every day as though God has a plan and a purpose for you - because He does! He has plans for you far beyond what you can imagine. He is with you every moment. Christ does not forget about you, not even for a second. Leave the hours and the minutes of your life in the hands of the Sovereign God Who has pronounced you clean, Who has declared you worthy to be a steward of His righteousness, a messenger of His glory, a child who is welcome and loved. Leave your doubts and your confusions, and even your certainties, with the all-wise Saviour, Who knows you better than you know yourself. Look to Jesus, and be ready.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:21-22 ESV)


*I don't doubt that I have misused the term in the past; this blog is an attempt to correct my own errors as much as to address the errors of others.

Saints together

This is the power of Jesus Christ. 

Getting over my apathetic view of 1 Corinthians yesterday, I read chapter one and was subsequently blown away by something I had never caught before. I used to skim over the introductions of letters, thinking it was simply a greeting and the good stuff came later. However, that view died when my pastor preached from the book of James, and spent two sermons on the first two verses of the book. In reading 1 Corinthians 1, then, I paid close attention to the introduction of Paul. Look carefully:

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

The question that popped into my head was, "Where have I heard the name Sosthenes before?" Sure enough, he is mentioned in Acts 18: 

And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. (Acts 18:17a)

The context for this verse is essential in explaining the first sentence of this blog. Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, was beaten in front of the tribunal because a case against Paul had swiftly been dismissed by Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia. In his study Bible, John MacArthur states, "Since [Sosthenes] was the ruler of the synagogue, he would have presented the case to Gallio." Imagine that. Sosthenes was basically the lead prosecutor against Paul. When the case was dismissed, Sosthenes received the blame. He was beaten. He was shamed. He probably considered Paul his enemy - especially in light of Paul's "betrayal" of the Jews. Formerly Paul had been their knight in shining armour, ridding the world of the blight of "The Way". Then he converted to Christianity. Paul was no favourite among the Jewish leaders. 

This leaves us with the fairly valid assumption that Sosthenes hated Paul's guts. 

But then, Christ steps in. The power of the gospel in Christ Jesus flies in the face of that enmity. Sosthenes is saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. The Bible does not go into the particulars of Sosthenes' conversion, but we are given the epilogue of the vanished enmity between Paul and Sosthenes in 1 Corinthians 1. 

Paul calls Sosthenes "our brother". This term of endearment flows through Christ Jesus, Who is the Redeemer and Mediator. Through Christ we are adopted as children of God. Through Christ the walls of hostility are broken down. Through Christ believers, even former enemies, are united in love and peace. 

I find it quite interesting how Paul continues in his introduction, after mentioning Sosthenes. Paul may have had Sosthenes in mind as he wrote "called to be saints together". These two men knew the power of Jesus Christ. They knew His saving grace. They knew His mercy and His atonement. 

Paul, the former murderer and persecutor of Christ, and Sosthenes, the former adversary, full of bitterness, enmity and resentment, found themselves sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together. It is the same for believers today. Across the globe, in spite of multiple differences, diverse backgrounds, varying cultures and preconceived notions, Christ unites us, and by His power and mercy we stand united as the Bride. 

"Grace to you and peace" indeed. 

Have been grieved

Grief.

It's not your average sadness. It is deep, emotional pain. It is intense, severe sorrow, usually associated with the loss of something or someone you were bonded to in one way or another. Grief is a heaviness, and it uses all its weight to the best advantage, pressing down, trying to crush, trying to break. ...grieved by various trials...


Grief is mentioned many times in the Bible. Interestingly, it often speaks of God being grieved. God is grieved by us when we break His commandments, His covenant. When we seek to destroy the bond that He has with us, He is grieved.

Jesus is well acquainted with grief.

He bears our sorrows above and beyond His own. He sympathizes with our weaknesses. He has compassion, even while we spit in His face, mock Him, and defy Him.

Jesus, when He calls us to suffer, never asks us to endure what He has not. He is not like us in that regard. I could very willingly allow people to do hard things, while I myself sit back and let them take the brunt of the work, the brunt of the pain.

Jesus does not do that.

God is well-acquainted with various trials.

For all I suffer in my life, for all the times I am grieved, I know that God bears it, and pours out His grace on me. God Himself is the Ultimate Sufferer. This is why He is the Ultimate Saviour.

He understands. He loves. He gives.

God's power

I do not like deep water.

I can swim, but I prefer solid ground beneath me.

If I am forced to swim, I like seeing the bottom. As soon as it gets a little bit shadowed or dark, I begin to imagine that some deep-sea (or deep-lake) monster is going to rush up and grab me, dragging me down into the pressurized darkness, cracking all my bones. Deep water makes me nervous.

The monstrous, roiling waves, capable of overpowering the greatest of ships constructed by man, capable of destroying cities, of overturning houses, of pummeling rock to sand to be lapped up against the shore...this grand, terrifying body is subjected to the God I call Father.

Wow.

Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
(Psalm 42:7, emphasis mine)

I am not comforted by the sea. Yet I am comforted by the fact that the sea is God's sea. The waterfalls are God's waterfalls. The deep that calls to deep, the deep that thunders nervousness in my chest, is the deep that answers to the Creator's call.

When life sends wave after wave of trial and trouble at me, I know that these waves are not battering me in spite of God's attempts to protect me.

God is sending the waves.

And God is protecting me.

God will bring me through what He has in store for me, even if my journey consists of travelling down to the pressurized darkness of the deep. Even if I cannot see the bottom, even if I cannot see the end in sight, I will praise God, because He holds me, and the waves answer to Him.

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According to the foreknowledge of God the Father

Sometimes God does things in a way I would not have anticipated. He moves in mysterious ways, indeed. It seems odd to me that God would send His people into a dispersion, for instance, but He has purposes beyond my knowledge.

When I reflect on my life, I realize that basically everything about it is different from what I imagined fifteen or more years ago. From the time I could remember, I was certain that by this time my life would look a whole lot different than it actually looks right now. I can look back on old journals and read my prayers, see my focus, and know that I do not know the thoughts of the Lord. I do not understand His plan (Micah 4:12).

Sometimes it is difficult to rest in the knowledge that God has the knowledge. I want to know. I want to proceed in the way that I have determined is the best for me. God says, "Ah, stubborn child..." (Isaiah 30:1)

On a much greater scale, I'm sure that the elect exiles mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1 sometimes wished they knew what was going on, where their life was headed. They probably struggled with being dispossessed, living in a foreign land, not knowing what tomorrow would bring. They may have thought about how different their life was compared to what they imagined it would be. Peter reminded them about the foreknowledge of God the Father. I so need to remind myself of this, all the time!

God knows where you are.
God hears your distress.
God knows the plans He has for you, even when you do not.
God has not forgotten you.
God delights to answer your prayers.

In life, whether exiled or living out a life you didn't plan, rest in God's plan. My life may look different right now from what I would have imagined, but I can see that the Lord guides me in the way that I need to go. He has led me the best way. He has led me in the way that I needed to go.

For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
(Psalm 31:3)

Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
(Psalm 43:3)

Free Will

The concept of free will is not a new one in Christendom. It is an issue that has been argued for ages and ages. I’m adding my meager voice to the argument, in an attempt to thrash it out for myself.

Free will is…

What does it even mean? What are we talking about here?

I think when most Christians speak of “free will” they mean something like

“Having the capacity and the inclination at any given point in existence to choose to believe in God, and having the power within oneself of attaining salvation based solely on the general offer of salvation to all.”

At least, that would seem to be the idea, from what I’ve read and heard. The problem I have with that is, I don't think it's Scriptural.

People who claim that their salvation is entirely theirs are wrong from a Biblical standpoint. They seek to claim some measure of success where they deserve none. They take glory from God and put it on themselves.

There are a few points to make concerning this concept of free will.

What Does it Mean to Be Dead in Trespasses and Sins?

Ephesians 2:1-3

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

There is nothing you can do to help yourself be saved.

Being dead is a formidable problem. Death means separation. You, in your trespasses and sins, are separated from God by a chasm that you cannot overcome.

Not only are you dead, but you are under the power of Satan, walking in darkness.

Satan doesn’t give up his slaves easily.

Not only that, be you’re enslaved to abase passions!

Finally, you are a child of wrath.

These are four big problems. Just one of these would be enough to keep you from choosing God. Paul says that this is the natural man. Dead, enslaved to Satan and sins, being a child of wrath…it is a hopeless, helpless condition.

The most one can be in this state is a free agent within the boundaries of enslavement. Your choices may be voluntary, but they are not free.

You have certain freedoms, but you are in bondage. Free agency does not equal free will. We can do many things of our own choosing, but not when it comes to salvation.

As I’ve heard it said before, all you can do is roll around in the coffin whenever it goes over a bump on its downward slide into the dark depths of hell. You cannot escape your prison. More than that, you don’t even want to. You can’t go against your nature.

“Man, in his depraved state, is under an utter inability to do any thing truly good, as was proved before at large: how then can he obey the Gospel? His nature is the very reverse of the Gospel: how can he, of himself, fall in with that plan of salvation, and accept the offered remedy? The corruption of man’s nature infallibly includes his utter inability to recover himself in any way, and whoso is convinced of the one, must needs admit the other; for they stand and fall together. Were all the purchase of Christ offered to the unregenerate man for one good thought, he cannot command it (2 Cor. 3:5), ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as of ourselves! Were it offered on condition of a good word, yet ‘how can ye, being evil, speak good things?’ (Matthew 12:35). Nay, were it left to yourselves to choose what is easiest, Christ Himself tells you (John 15:5), ‘Without me, ye can do nothing’!” ~ Thomas Boston

So, Christ has to rescue you. You can’t do it yourself. You’re dead. He brings you to life.

We need something outside ourselves in order that we might be saved.

By our own nature, we’re toast.

“But God, who is rich in mercy…” (Eph.2:4)

We didn’t save ourselves. We were dead.

“It may be you think that you cannot do all by yourself alone, yet Jesus Christ offering you help, you can of yourself embrace it, and use it for your recovery. But, O sinner, be convinced of your absolute need of the grace of Christ: for truly, there is help offered, but you cannot accept it: there is a rope cast out to draw shipwrecked sinners to land, but, alas they have no hands to lay hold of it. They are like infants exposed in the open field, who must starve, though their food be lying by them, unless some one put it in their mouths.”~ Thomas Boston

God saved us, by His sovereign grace. He doesn’t have to do it, but He does.

Can’t We Choose God Ourselves?

The problem with the idea of choosing God by our own free will is that humanity is not neutral. God is not morally neutral, so man cannot be by virtue of being created in His image. We are one side or the other. Since Adam, we’ve chosen the wrong side.

All men have sinned (Rom.3:23), and we are called enemies of God (Rom.5:10). That’s not neutrality.

Man by nature suppresses the truth, and is a sworn enemy of God.

He’s being bombarded with the truth of God, and instead of admitting the truth, he perverts it into something else. Being created for worship, he must worship something, and, refusing to give God the glory that is His due, man instead worships various versions of himself.

The heart of sin is rebellion, and we’ve rebelled against God since Eden.

Man is at enmity with God because he desires to keep his crown of autonomy. This is why people refuse to fall down in worship of God – and this is also why they cannot, by their very nature and debased desires, choose God of their own will.

Doing our own will, in our sinful, unregenerate nature, is called only one thing: sin.

What Can We Choose, Then?

There’s a specific problem one can run into when discussing free will. Most people think that people such as myself – Calvinists, Reformed Baptists, etc. – believe that God does everything and you don’t have a say. Basically, the stereotype for people like me is that we believe people don’t have a will at all. That’s not the case. On the flip side, I have personal stereotypes for the “other side”; they believe to strongly in their own abilities, and not enough in God’s sovereignty; the list goes on. Therefore, I must digress for a moment and say that this is not an attack on any specific denomination or what have you. I am merely outlining the truth of this issue as I see it presented in Scripture.

I’m not questioning one’s ability to choose what they want.

I’m questioning their ability to want anything but sin, Satan, and death.

Romans 8:7

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot."

This verse does not say “it will not”, meaning it is a specific voluntary choice at the time. It says “it cannot”. The natural man, the mind that is set on the flesh, is incapable of submitting to God’s law and turning to God.

I’ve heard it argued before that the sovereignty of God automatically means that we have to serve Him, whether we want to or not, rather than truly wanting to serve Him. This is not the case.

However, I have a question for people who say this. Why do they seem to need the choice to say no to God? Why do they even want that option? It seems like they’re holding on to idolatry, worshiping self, thinking they have enough power and authority to contribute to the entirely free and gracious gift of God.

"Whilst a man is persuaded that he has it in his power to contribute anything, be it ever so little, to his salvation, he remains in carnal self-confidence; he is not a self-despairer, and therefore is not duly humbled before God, he believes he may lend a helping hand in his salvation, but on the contrary, whoever is truly convinced that the whole work depends singly on the will of God, such a person renounces his own will and strength; he waits and prays for the operation of God, nor waits and prays in vain . . ."

- Martin Luther

Where Does The Holy Spirit Come In?

The Holy Spirit is the Person of God who regenerates us (John 3:8), convicts us of sin (John 16:8), indwells us (Eph. 1:13), gifts us (1Co.12:4), beautifies us (Gal.5:22-26), leads us and directs us (John 16:13).

Without conviction of sin, we don’t see the need to turn to Christ. Without conviction of sin, we would still choose sin and self over God.

The Holy Spirit goes where Jesus commands; into the hearts of believers. He is here with Christians to help us while we are yet on earth. He is here to sanctify us, to lead us to the truth and help us understand.

How Then Are We Responsible For Our Own Actions? Isn't the Holy Spirit a Puppet-Master? Doesn’t a Completely Sovereign God Mean That My Choices Are Not My Own?

Scripture is not crystal clear on how God’s sovereignty co-exists with man’s responsibility; but both truths are in the Bible very clearly. It is a mystery that God has not chosen to reveal. Man is responsible for his actions, his choices, and his words; but God is sovereign over it all. These two truths can neither be denied nor understood by someone such as myself. But I will defend them both.

We still choose what we want, and so the decision is still our responsibility. Whether we choose life or death, sin or righteousness, Satan or Christ – that is our decision to make, and we are accountable for it.

Proverbs 16:33

"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."

Even random decisions are directed by God in His sovereignty. But be assured you are responsible for every choice you make.

What Does This Mean?

This means that the grace of God is inexplicable, wonderful, and mysterious, and the glory and praise goes entirely to Him. What a wondrous God He is, to help us in this way! What mercy is it to be able to turn to the cross, to throw off the weight of sin, and take on the easy load of Christ’s righteousness! To be able to stand before God, pronounced perfect, instead of receiving the punishment we so justly deserve. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised! His grace is astounding, in that He died for us when we did not choose Him; He loved us when we despised Him; He obeyed and lived righteously where we disobeyed and chose to sin. He died for us.

“In conclusion then, let the saints admire the freedom and power of grace, which came to them in their helpless condition, made their chains fall off, the iron gate to open to them, raised the fallen creatures, and brought them out of the state of sin and wrath., wherein they would have lain and perished, had not they been mercifully visited. Let the natural man be sensible of his utter inability to recover himself. Know, that you are without strength: and cannot come to Christ, till you be drawn. You are lost, and cannot help yourself. This may shake the foundation of your hopes, if you never saw your absolute need of Christ and his grace, but think to contrive for yourself by your civility, morality, drowsy wishes, and duties, and by a faith and repentance which have sprung out of your natural powers, without the power and efficacy of the grace of Christ. O be convinced of your absolute need of Christ, and His overcoming grace, believe your utter inability to recover yourself, that so you may be humbled, shaken out of your self-confidence, and lie down in dust and ashes, groaning out your miserable case before the Lord. A proper sense of your natural impotence, the impotence of depraved human nature, would be a step towards a delivery.” ~ Thomas Boston

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

"Suffering and the Sovereignty of God" by John Piper and friends is probably one of the best books I have read so far this year.

It has really been a blessing. There are nine chapters, each written by a different person, each person having gone through specific suffering, and learned something of the sovereignty of God through their particular suffering.

The neat thing about the book was that it led me to praise God, more than leading me to dwell on the theological side of things (though the book certainly was theological - and full of truth!). Because God being sovereign in suffering is an absolute truth, I can praise Him and dwell on His absolute goodness. I can trust Him in the darkest of times.

These are the chapters (reading these almost gives you a full lesson on the sovereignty of God):

1) Ten Aspects of God's Sovereignty over Suffering and Satan's Hand In It - John Piper

2) "All the Good That Is Ours In Christ": Seeing God's Gracious Hand in the Hurt Others Do To Us - Mark R. Talbot

3) The Suffering of Christ and the Sovereignty of God - John Piper

4) Why God Appoints Suffering For His Servants - John Piper

5) Sovereignty, Suffering, and the Work of Missions - Stephen F. Saint

6) The Sovereignty of God and Ethnic-based Suffering - Carl F. Ellis, Jr.

7) God's Grace and Your Sufferings - David Powlison

8) Waiting For the Morning During the Long Night of Weeping - Dustin Shramek

9) Hope...The Best of Things - Joni Eareckson Tada

I'd recommend this book to anyone.

Click here for a pdf copy.

1 Corinthians 2:14

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God,

for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them

because they are spiritually discerned."

This verse would seem to make the case that one cannot understand or accept the truth unless he is saved. It is those who are in the Spirit who can understand (even if only in small part) what is "spiritually discerned".

How can one choose to be saved without the prior work of God if one a) won't accept the things of the Spirit, and b) doesn't even understand them?

God MUST work first. Since this is so, it must be observed that salvation and belief begin with God Himself, not us.

"To the great truths, What God is in himself, and what he is in relation to us, human reason makes not the least approach." (Read the whole article - going on a tangent for a second, it's kind of amazing how I can start writing a blog in the morning, save it for later, and read something in the evening that so closely fits with what I was trying to say...)

If it began with us, we'd reject it. It is by God's grace we have been saved, through faith, and this is not of ourselves - it is the gift of God, not a result of works (even such works as pretended acceptance of salvation prior to the work of God in one's heart...) that no one may boast.

We cannot boast because there's nothing to boast about. God saves us, God sanctifies us, God gives His Spirit, God gives understanding, God gives grace.

God gives and we receive.

It is a remarkable thing about salvation, that God loved us enough to break through the walls we had built up around our hearts, the defensive lines set up against Him. He tore them away and revealed Himself. He showed us our sin and died for it. He offered salvation and adopted us as His children.

He is Mighty to save.

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

The Sovereignty of God in Suffering - VI

6.  The Suffering of Christ, the Son of God 

Of all the accounts of suffering in the Bible, the suffering of Jesus is the most important. Not only was His suffering the worst in the spiritual sense, in being under the complete wrath of God, but we should know about His suffering because it was for us that He went through so much.

1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 

Hebrews 2:5-10 “Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, 

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,

Or the son of man, that you care for him?

You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honour,

Putting everything in subjection under his feet.” 

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” 

There are a few things to notice from this passage in relation to the suffering of Christ. 

The first one being that He was made lower than the angels. This might not seem like much of a disgrace, but when faced with the idea of Who God is, and how far above the angels He is in greatness and glory, then we must realize that leaving that glory behind was like a separation from His true character. 

Jesus was fully God, even while fully Man. Yet His glory and power were submerged under the skin of human frailty. He was born in humility. He was not born as God, but as a peasant, thought to be an illegitimate son. This was humiliation enough for the mighty Creator of the universe. 

The second thing to notice is that it was fitting for Jesus to be made perfect through suffering. This is not to say that Jesus was sinful or somehow imperfect beforehand – rather, it means that He obeyed perfectly the will of the Father even through the cup of suffering which, by the will of the Father, was not passed from Him, though He prayed that it could be. 

If there is any lesson to be taken from Jesus, with regard to His suffering, then it is this: that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, did not hesitate in the face of suffering. He did not mistrust God when considering the measure of suffering He would have to endure. He prayed to God, He worshipped God, and He obeyed God. Jesus’ will was completely conformed to the will of the Father, when He said “not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) 

Jesus knew Who it was that ordained the suffering to come: 

“So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:11, emphasis mine) 

Satan was not in control of Jesus’ suffering, and he is not in control of ours. He is a fiend who tempts our sinful nature, hoping that we in our sin and rebellion will curse God and die, but the outcome of our suffering is entirely in the hands of God. We should therefore lean upon Him, fully relying on His sovereignty. 

In my opinion, this is the best part of Hebrews: 

Hebrews 2:18 “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” 

We don’t have a faraway god, one who does not involve himself in the affairs of his people. We don’t have a god who created us and then stood back, leaving us to our pointless and paltry lives. Jesus understands our suffering, having gone through suffering as well. So many come to Christ through suffering, realizing that He is the faithful one; He is the merciful and understanding one.

 Jesus understands our suffering because He’s human.

He can do something about our suffering because He’s God. 

So we can put our complete trust in Him, and cling to Him as the Source of our help in times of trouble. 

Hebrews 4:14-15 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” 

He is perfect, and He is sympathetic. There is no greater Saviour, and there is no greater Lord. Who else can we turn to in our suffering? No one else has both suffered as we have, and accomplished the work of atonement without the stain of sin. There is only Jesus, and He is enough. Praise God! 

Hebrews 5:8 “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” 

Like Jesus, we also learn obedience through what we suffer. The Bible states that we are to be like Christ, so we ought to remember His words in the garden of Gethsemane. Even while He sweated drops of blood, He would not disobey the Father. His whole purpose, His whole reason for existence, was to do God’s will. 

"There are three characteristics of those who are crucified with Christ. First, they have no plans of their own. You can't make many plans when you're hanging on a cross. Second, they are looking in just one direction. And third, they're not coming down." – A. W. Tozer[1] 

Just because we suffer, does not mean we should turn away from God. He has not left us; in fact, one could say that in one way He is closer to us in our suffering than at any other time. And if we relate to Him, we can learn obedience through what we suffer in following Christ. God is faithful. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” 

Jesus is our greatest example in suffering. Have you trials? Look to Jesus! He suffered and is now glorified. Consider Him, and be encouraged. Your suffering will not last forever. There is an end to this race, and that end is glory in the presence of God. 

As we endure suffering, we should remember this: God is our Father, and He disciplines us because He loves us. (Hebrews 12:5-11) Jesus is our great high priest, the same yesterday, today and forever. “So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

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[1] http://garyboalnireland.blogspot.com/2009/05/those-who-are-crucified-with-christ.html

Part 7