Why Suffering?

 

1 Peter 3:13-17

There is only one way to look at verse thirteen, as a question, and yet for years I looked at it as a statement.  When we address it as a question, you must ask who would attack me for doing what is good?  “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?”  The answer is not hard to come up with, but it confronts us with these truths; we have very real and very powerful enemies, and the Bible refers to them as cosmic powers, spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places, and in fact Ephesians 6:12, states these are schemes of the devil and he has under his control rulers and authorities.  However, there is another truth, most of us who enter into a relationship with God in Christ, never allow our minds to believe that God might allow suffering so that brothers and sisters and also non-believers would see your good works and glorify God in your suffering for doing good.

It is always in hindsight that we see the hand of God in suffering, and the one who has been taught by it, always has a choice to say as the Psalmist, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7) or they will lose heart and blame God.  A great example is Jim Elliot many saw his death as a foolish loss, a death for nothing, a tragic waste of a life.  Jim died trying to help the Aucas people in Ecuador, he was willing to risk his life for an opportunity to share the good news of the gospel.  But Jim’s life has inspired Christians all over this world, and as Joseph told his brothers, your actions were meant to bring harm, but God’s plan was to use it for good.  Jim Elliot often said; "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Reading on in 1 Peter 3:14-17, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.  Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”  It is clear that no one wants to suffer, no one wants to be slandered for doing good, but like our Lord, suffering is often the only way others will be drawn to the Father. 

I’ve never lost a young child, but I have friends who have, and the pain, the second-guessing, the hurt is beyond description.  God is not absent and yet we ask why, and the only final answer is that God numbered their days correctly, and I’ve been told by some that they learn to hold everything loosely.  If you have not suffered, and you are a Christian, you have this promise: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice