Why Must We Suffer?

Job1
2 CORINTHIANS 12:5-10

“HE IS ABLE…MORE THAN ABLE!”

NAS 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

OUR TEXT THIS WEEK IS 2 CORINTHIANS 12, but I want to begin our study by calling your attention to the book of Job…

THE MEANING OF THE NAME “JOB” IS UNCERTAIN. If the origin is Hebrew, the name “Job” means “The persecuted one.”  Everyone, to one degree or another, can identify with the man Job, mainly because Job was a man accustomed to suffering.

BUT JOB WAS ALSO A MAN GREATLY BLESSED BY GOD…

ESV  Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

JOB WAS “BLAMELESS” OR “WITHOUT MORAL BLEMISH,” and he was “upright,” altogether a fine man of God.  He was literally the greatest and richest man in the ancient Mid East. And God allowed Satan to test Job by essentially destroying his life.  His seven sons and three daughters suddenly die.  His vast property and possessions are taken away.  Job is left to ponder the sudden disaster and the question of why a loving God would permit such a thing to happen. As a Pastor, I was asked that same question more than often.

THE BOOK OF JOB IS THE MOST ANCIENT STATEMENT WHICH ADDRESSES the perennial, multitudinous questions of the problem of (1) evil and (2) human suffering.  Therefore, it is fitting we begin our discussion on “Why Suffering?” there.  While we will not be spending the time it deserves from the book itself due to time considerations, I want to make a couple of points from Job to lay the foundation for our study.  In the book of Job we see the ultimate enigmas of life articulated or directly referred to: “Why does a loving and good God allow evil and suffering to exist?  Both in words and inference, the question of “Why, God?” is articulated.  It is, of course still being articulated today.

IT IS INTERESTING THAT GOD NEVER DOES TELL JOB “WHY?”  He never does explain to Job the reason for the test.  The only answer to the pressings questions that emerges from the book is that God is sovereign; He does as He wills.

“THE PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS OF THE MAN JOB are answered completely and perfectly in Christ.” – Jensen

DURING MY YEARS AS A CHAPLAIN at Alvarado Hospital I weekly interacted with the drama and the frustration played out in the ancient book of Job.  Often times in conversations with sick and dying patients I would hear them say fascinating things; faithful things and unfaithful things alike.  I recorded many of those memorable statements in my notebook.  This week I looked through my old Alvarado notebook and found these three entries from three dear people in various stages of cancer, each one experiencing firsthand suffering and each one contemplating the reality of death:

    1. Evellyn (Rm 302) – “why won’t God just take me home?” (saved but desperate)
    1. Ben (Rm 316) – “a good God would never let someone suffer like this” (unsaved and bitter)
    1. Jack (Rm 338) – “we just don’t know the reason for suffering” (trusting but wrong)…

WHY DOES AN ENTIRELY LOVING AND TOTALLY GOOD GOD ALLOW SUFFERING TO AFFLICT HIS CHILDREN? Why must we Christians suffer?  We are saved; we are being used by God to save others; God loves us; we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit; why are we, then, subjected to basically the same trials and tribulations of the unsaved?

QUITE SIMPLY, BUT MOST PROFOUNDLY, the answer the Bible gives to the human question of “Why Suffering?” is this:

WE SUFFER BECAUSE WE HAVE SINNED…

NAS Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death,

WE SUFFER BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A SIN-CURSED WORLD. We suffer because suffering is part of the penalty we must pay for our disobedience; if man had not disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden there would be no suffering and no death…

NAS Matthew 13:9 “He who has ears, let him hear.”

HEAR THIS! SUFFERING IS A FACT OF A FALLEN WORLD. Forgive me is this sounds unduly harsh but even to ask the question “Why Must We Suffer?” reveals an ignorance of our Christian reality.  “Why Must We Suffer?” is really no mystery.  We suffer because this sin-cursed world is a world of suffering.  Therefore, let us consider the question of “Why Must We Suffer?” through this important perspective…

BUT, STILL, WE KNOW THIS ANSWER IS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT.  The human mind and the human condition are such that we cannot help but wonder “Why Suffering.”  Most individuals can identify with Job, a good man upon whom God allowed Satan to inflict suffering.  Job’s distresses were so agonizingly prolonged and so seemingly unfair that human beings can almost be forgiven for asking God “Why Suffering?”

THE SUBJECT OF SUFFERING IS COMPLEX in that there are different types of suffering:  (1) there is suffering from disease; (2) there is suffering pain from an accident; (3) there is suffering persecution and rejection because of our identification with Christ; (4) and there is the type of suffering that results directly from our bad decisions, our lusts, our fleshly immoralities.

WEBSTER’S: suffer 1. to undergo or feel pain or great distress.  2. to sustain injury, disadvantage, or loss.  3. to endure or be afflicted with something temporarily or chronically. Quick definition: Suffering = I am hurting.

GREEK: πάθημα (path-a-ma, the word from which we get our English word pathos) something undergone, hardship, suffering, pain. The word comes from another Greek word, familiar to us in English, πάθημα 3806. (3) suffering, emotion, depraved passion, lust. The word has come to mean today in English pity, compassion.

IN THIS BLOG, I AM GOING TO SPEAK OF SUFFERING IN GENERAL TERMS, that is, that which produces physical or mental pain.

MALCOLM MUGGERIDGE, the brilliant but crusty literary critic and former editor of the London Telegraph, was a devout atheist, arrogantly defiant of Jesus Christ and Christianity.  The great writer and wit wrote many satirical essays on the absurdity of faith.  And then he went through great trial and experienced severe pain.  And then, to the shock of the literary world, he became a Christian.  And then he wrote these words…

“Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction.  Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been experienced through affliction and not happiness.  In other words, if it were ever possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or medical mumbo-jumbo – as Huxley envisaged in his Brave New World – the result would not be to make like delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable.  This, of course, is what the Cross signifies, and it is the Cross more than anything else that has called me inexorably to Christ.  His words were infallible as He spoke them, and I cannot identify with infallible words.  His works were miraculous, and I cannot identify with miraculous works.  His presence and His character were perfect, and I cannot identify with perfection.  Ahhh, but His pain was deep, and I can identify with that, and that’s what draws me inexorably to Christ.”

THE PSALMIST SAID…

NAS Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes.

“WHAT A STRANGE THING TO WRITE,” the world would surely say.  But therein is great truth and precious illumination on how life is lived successfully.

SUFFERING IS PRODUCTIVE. If you honestly think about it, I think you’ll admit that the greatest testimony of any Christian is produced during times of suffering.  Job knew suffering was productive…

KJV Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

WHATEVER YOU ARE COMES OUT IN SUFFERING. God tests us in our trials.  If you are in a trial right now and experiencing suffering, know this: to some degree, in some way, not always known fully to us, God is testing you to see who you really love, God or self…

HERE IS A STATEMENT OF TRUTH FOR THE MATURE… If you do not love God to the degree where you are willing to trust Him in any and all situations, you are not yet strong in your faith…

NAS Matthew 13:9 “He who has ears, let him hear.”

SUFFERING IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IS PRODUCTIVE… God has a positive purpose in suffering…

ESV  2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

WHO DO YOU THINK GAVE PAUL THAT THORN IN THE FLESH?   It was God Himself.  Many people are unaware that suffering can come intentionally from God. Suffering comes from God to fulfill His purpose. Sometimes we are able to discern His purpose, usually by His Word, but sometimes we cannot. When we cannot is when faith comes in. When we don’t know the why? or even the what? we must trust. We can do this because He is bever not trustworthy. If we are able to see this in the midst of our pain, we will grow in Christ, impress others for Christ, and glorify Christ. Suffering can be not only endured, but joyfully endured by the mature Christian because he recognizes ultimately it has come from God, that God has allowed it in his life for a positive purpose and in order to glorify Himself.  Suffering is positive and productive.

4 REASONS WHY SUFFERING IS PRODUCTIVE: I am going to suggest this morning 4 reasons why suffering exists for the believer, but in reality, speaking cosmically, universally, there is but one reason for suffering: sin.  The reason there is pain and suffering and death in the world is because man disobeyed God and sinned.  “The wages of sin is death.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (cf. Romans 3:10-23; 6:23).  It just goes with the territory of being human in a sin-cursed world; no matter the circumstance of the person, we’re going to have trials as a result of sin.

THINK OF GOD’S TESTING OF HEZEKIAH…

2 CHRONICLES 32:27-31 – “Hezekiah had very great riches and honor.  And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items; storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks.  Moreover he provided cities for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much property.  This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David.  Hezekiah prospered in all his works.  However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.”

GOD WANTED TO SHOW HEZEKIAH the consequences of his pride (God, of course is omniscient; He did not need a test to know what was in Hezekiah’s heart.)

4 REASONS WHY GOD ALLOWS SUFFERING…

    1. TO REVEAL OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION
    • If you’re going through a trial right now you can easily and accurately determine the strength and depth of your faith. Are trusting God, or are filled with anxiety and relying on yourself?
    • One of the reasons why we Christians must suffer is to reveal the strength of our faith.
    • The worse things get, the more our spiritual condition is revealed. Consider our text: God wanted to demonstrate Paul’s spiritual character to the Corinthians:

2 CORINTHIANS 12:6 – “For though I might desire to boast” (about his spiritual experiences)

    • Some lessons God needs to teach us cannot be learned in Church; we must experience them before we truly learn them.
    • “The worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace.” – Thomas Manten
    1. TO PERFECT US
    • We are not the perfect, mature Christians we often claim or aspire to be. “Perfect” means “mature, completed in Christ.” God is seeking to change us, transform our entire being.  He is conforming us to the image of His dear Son.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 – “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

    • Now, if we are honest with ourselves, we all know that change invariably requires pain of some kind. Think of a diet.  Diets are not easy.  Sacrifice is required, and sacrifice hurts.  Think of an exercise program.  We must tear down in order to build up.  God must likewise lovingly tear us down in order to build us up, in order to perfect us…

1 PETER 5:6-11 – “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.”

“A little piece of wood once complained bitterly because its owner kept whittling away at it, cutting it, and filling it with holes, but the one who was cutting it so remorselessly paid no attention to its complaining.  He was making a flute out of that piece of ebony, and he was too wise to desist from doing so, even though the wood complained bitterly.  He seemed to say, ‘Little piece of wood, without these holes, and all this cutting, you would be a black stick forever – just a useless piece of ebony.  What I am doping now may make you think that I am cruel or unfair and that I am destroying you.  But, instead, I will change you into a flute, and your sweet music will charm the souls of men and comfort many a sorrowing heart.  My cutting you is the making of you, for only thus can you be a blessing in the world.’”

HEBREWS 2:18 – “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

    1. TO HUMBLE US AND DRAW US TO HIMSELF
    • If we are honest we will admit we are a proud, stiff-necked people – yes, we are! J
    • It is an undeniable fact that suffering reduces our high opinion of ourselves and draws us closer to God. When things are going smoothly we are less apt to give our attention to God.
    • “No one of God’s children is too weak to be powerful, but many are too strong.” – John MacArthur
    • 2 Corinthians 12 is a beautiful passage where this spiritual truth is clearly illustrated.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-8 – “A lest I (Paul) should be exalted above measure (to keep me from exalting myself – NAS) by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure (to keep me from exalting myself – NAS).  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.”

    • God gave Paul a physical reminder of his weakness to humble him. It was God who caused Paul’s suffering.
    1. TO DISPLAY HIS GRACE AND PERFECT HIS POWER

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10 – “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness’ (not in God’s weakness but in ours).  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities (weaknesses – NAS), that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (I am well content with weaknesses – NAS), in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

    • Rather than removing the problem God gave Paul grace in it. This grace, this divine enablement is entirely sufficient for it provides contentment and peace within the storm of suffering.
    • αρκεο (ar-kay-o) (8) to suffice, be sufficient, satisfy, and by implication to be strong and able to assist someone.
    • It is possible not only to experience peace within pain but triumph within that pain.

CONCLUSION (in direct language)

    • God is trying to get our attention by bringing suffering into our lives.
    • “GOD WHISPERS TO US IN PLEASURE, but He shouts to us in pain.”
    • If anything is dearer to you than God, you are in immediate danger of losing it, for anything dearer to you than God is an idol and God will in most cases remove it from your life…
    • HE WILL NOT TOLERATE SECOND PLACE.
    • Why is it we may agree with Muggeridge’s wisdom yet flee without hesitation at the first hint of tribulation or affliction? The psalmist says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn (Thy statutes).”  Malcolm Muggeridge said that it was pain and affliction which spoke to him most clearly and drew him close to God…

MAYBE IT IS TIME WE CHANGE OUR THINKING ABOUT THE TRIALS we are going through…

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT GOD DETERMINES OUR BEHAVIOR…

WHO WE ARE COMES OUT IN TRIALS. Who we really are deep down inside surfaces when we are suffering.

REMEMBER, IT WAS GOD WHO GAVE PAUL THE THORN in the flesh…

1 PETER 2:21 – “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”

“GOD HAD ONE SON WITHOUT SIN, BUT NO SONS WITHOUT A CROSS“ – Thomas Manten

    • CONSIDER AGAIN PAUL’S REACTION TO HIS SUFFERING:
    1. He recognized his need to be humbled (v. 7)
    1. He went to God with his pain [not to friends, counselors, etc] (v. 8)
    1. He listened to God and was satisfied with God’s word (v. 9)
    1. He gladly endured his suffering “for Christ’s sake” (v. 10)
    1. He recognized his true strength was in Christ (v. 10)

PETER SAID…

1 PETER 4:12-14 – “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

PAUL SAID…

ROMANS 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 – “In everything give thanks.” That includes suffering…

JOB SAID…

JOB 23:10-12 – “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.  My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.”

YES, AS WITH JOB, GOD DOES NOT TELL US THE REASON FOR OUR SUFFERING, but in His Word the Bible He does tell us that He is an entirely loving, good, just, and trustworthy God…

THE ANSWER TO “WHY MUST WE SUFFER?” you could say is, “I don’t know, but I’m going to trust God…

I’ve had many tears and sorrow

I’ve had questions for tomorrow

There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong

But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation

That my trials come to only make me strong

Through it all, through it all

Oh, I’ve learned to trust in God

Let me tell you that through it all, oh, through it all

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word

So I thank God for the mountains

And I thank Him for the valleys

And I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through

– Oh, if I’d never had a problem

I’d never know that God could solve them

I’d never know what faith in His Word would do – Andrae Crouch

IN THIS WORLD, WE WILL HAVE TRIBULATION… That is an inarguable fact; we will suffer…

KJV John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

“HE IS ABLE…MORE THAN ABLE”…

SOME OF US – MAYBE ALL OF US – MAY NEVER GET TO THE POINT where we could ever say that we welcome suffering, even if we believe everything said in this blog.  And maybe we will never be strong enough to honestly thank God for the mountains of out lives.  But certainly we can all thank God for being with us is always in our sufferings, pouring grace into souls…

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure;
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again. – Hymn

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT…

NAS 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

CHRISTIANS WILL SUFFER, YES… BUT JESUS IS WITH US in the midst of our trials, strengthening us, giving us grace sufficient to meet every burden, to endure every tribulation!

WHAT A WONDERFUL GOD!  Praise His blessed name!

– Professor Thomas A. Rohm