Tag: Christian suffering

Gospel Shaped Suffering 2

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous

How can the gospel shape our suffering?  In the last post, we considered two ways: as we recognize that we are following the path of Christ and as we embrace his purpose of becoming more like Christ through suffering.  In this post we will look at two more ways that the gospel shapes our suffering.

Resting in the Love of Christ (Perseverance)

Romans 8:31-39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are secure in Christ.  He will preserve us to the end.  This is a glorious part of the gospel.

It is also a great assurance in suffering.  These verses make clear that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ – not tribulation, distress, persecution, danger, death – nothing.  In our trials we are sometimes tempted to wonder if God still loves us.  These verses assure us that he does.  In our trials we can rest in his love.  That is gospel shaped suffering.

Rejoicing in the Hope of Christ (Resurrection and Glorification)

In the Matthew 16:21, the path of Christ which leads through suffering and death goes on to resurrection.  As we follow the path of Christ, we have the same hope.  II Corinthians 4:14, and many other passages, make clear that as Christ was raised from the dead, so we too will be raised.  And we will be raised to glory.  Romans 8:16-21 speaks of this glory that awaits us.  This hope is part of the gospel.

And this hope is a great encouragement to us in our suffering.  Paul says that our current suffering is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18).  He calls our current suffering slight and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that is coming (II Corinthians 4:17).  Since suffering today often seems anything but slight and momentary, the glory that awaits us must be incredible indeed!  So in our suffering we can rejoice in our glorious hope of resurrection.  In our trials we look forward to the glory that awaits us.  Our hope is set on a day when there will be no more crying, or pain, or death, when we will dwell with the Lord forever in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1-5).  This is gospel shaped suffering.

Our suffering can be shaped by the gospel as we rest in Christ’s love and rejoice in our hope.  Do we approach suffering in this way?

We’ll look at some more ways that our suffering can be shaped by the gospel in the next post.

Gospel Shaped Suffering

On By BrianIn Miscellaneous1 Comment

Everyone suffers.  Trials, struggles, sickness, loss – we all struggle.  My question today is: how can the gospel shape our suffering?

Following the Path of Christ (Cross)

In Matthew 16:21-24, Jesus predicts his death.  He is going to suffer and die on a cross.  This event is central to the gospel – Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins.  But after predicting his death which will save us, he goes on to say that if we would come after him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.  In other words, when we follow Jesus, we follow his path of suffering.

Suffering is part of the normal Christian life.  If we are going to follow Jesus who suffered, then we too will suffer.  As Peter puts it in I Peter 2:21 within the context of suffering – “For to this [suffering] you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”  In our suffering, we are following the path of Christ.  This is gospel shaped suffering.

Becoming More Like Christ (Adoption and Sanctification)

Part of the gospel is that we are adopted as his children.  Hebrews 12:5-11 makes clear that as children we can expect discipline from the Lord that we might share in his holiness.  Hebrews tells us this discipline is often painful, but it yields the fruit of righteousness.  So this discipline that we must at times suffer makes us holy, righteous – it makes us more like Christ.

Part of the gospel is also our sanctification.  God is making us holy, more like Christ.  But how does he do it?  In part through suffering.  The overall context of Romans 8:18-30 includes this idea of suffering.  We suffer along with creation.  The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  All things (including suffering) work for our good.  And then we read that we are predestined “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”  How does God conform us?  The context suggests that suffering is a big part of it.

Romans 5:3-4 tells us that suffering produces endurance which produces character.  James 1:2-4 tells us that trials bring perseverance which leads to maturity.  All together these verses make clear that our suffering can make us more like Christ.  That our suffering has a glorious purpose.  Embracing this purpose is gospel shaped suffering.

Our suffering can be shaped by the gospel as we recognize that we are following the path of Christ and as we embrace his purpose of becoming more like Christ through suffering.  Do you approach suffering this way?

We’ll look at some more ways that our suffering can be shaped by the gospel in future posts.

Ready To Go

On By BrianIn Heart1 Comment

Loss, heartaches, sickness, pain, disease, strife, trials, suffering – sometimes I look around and I’m just ready to go.  Ever feel that way?

Paul writes about this desire in II Corinthians 4:16-5:9.  He reminds us that the glory that is to come is so great that our current struggles are only slight in comparison.  That must be some glory!

He goes on to remind us that we will one day have glorified resurrected bodies.  Our current mortal bodies (our outer nature) are wasting away.  In our mortal bodies we groan.  But one day we will have resurrected bodies.  The mortal will be swallowed up by life – bodies that will not waste away, in which we will not groan.

Yet our resurrection awaits Christ’s return, so what about when we die before he returns? We get a clue from the cross.  Before he died, Jesus cries out to his Father – “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”  When Jesus died, his spirit went to be with the Father.  This is confirmed by his words to the thief on the cross next to him – “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  The body of Jesus would be buried, but his spirit would meet the spirit of the thief in paradise – with the Father.

So Paul writes that he wishes to be away from the body so he might be with the Lord.  While death is not good (being a result of sin and the Fall), on the other side of death is the beginning of glory when we will be with the Lord.  Paul is ready to go so he might be with the Lord.

Are we ready to go?  Not just to see the end of trials, but because we long with Paul to be with Jesus?  Are we that excited about Jesus?

Paul concludes by saying it his goal to please the Lord.  Until God calls us home, we should seek to please him, to live for him, to serve him.  Is that our goal in life?

Ready to go, and living for him until he calls us to himself.  May it be so.