Suffering as it Relates to the Christian Experience

           

            In a previous blog post, I shared the first of two sermons I wrote as part of the requirements for the “Sermon Construction and Presentation” class I took at the Christian Leaders Institute during the summer of 2019. As I explained before, another requirement for successful completion of the course was that each student have their sermon critiqued by an ordained, experienced minister. To review and give feedback on both sermons, I chose the preacher whose bible study classes I was attending at the time, because his teachings inspired me to write them. Both sermons were motivated by the pastor’s deviation from scriptural accuracy. The second sermon addressed the pastor’s claim that Christians do not experience suffering. This message is a significantly revised version of the second sermon, shortened to make it an easier read. The core message remains unchanged.            

            The life of Jesus is evidence of an abundance of grace and power. The Saviour’s life will always be the perfect model in which we are to strive to live. His life was that of grace, love, and forgiveness. If we have questions about Christian living, it’s best to consult the entire Bible, especially the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—as they vividly recount Jesus Christ’s life, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. He walked the earth and experienced for himself the totality of the fall of humankind in all their wickedness. Many misconceptions concerning the life of a Christian exist. Some mistakenly believe that after someone becomes a follower of Christ, their lives will be perfect—free from suffering, challenges, difficulties, or any hardship. The mere fact that Jesus, who was without sin, suffered and then died in humiliation, is enough to dispel those myths. Jesus and His disciples experienced suffering throughout their ministry, to one degree or another; such is the price of bearing the cross, and every follower is to take up the cause. 

Jesus Suffered Gracefully

We should never forget the suffering that Jesus endured, striving always to walk in His shoes. Learning about Jesus Christ—who was sinless, took on human form, and faced severe injustice to offer us eternal life—helps ensure that we truly understand what it means to be a Christian and that we not be misled by the false doctrine preached by ministers of the evil one, “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15). Such are the ministers who will teach false doctrine about Christ and sell us a story about how easy it will be when we come to Jesus.

In the second chapter of the first epistle of Peter, we learn several things regarding Jesus’s character during persecution. Jesus committed “no sin, neither was guile [deceit] found in his mouth” (v. 22). The Son of God “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (v. 23). Jesus was the perfect example of what grace looks like, demonstrating composure, patience, and compassion. Nevertheless, His character extended beyond those qualities. Unlike those of us who respond to wrongs with rage and vengeance, Jesus always chose forgiveness. Jesus urges Christians to follow His example, even when it is challenging or uncomfortable.  

When Jesus’s tormentors called His very being into question, He did not flex his muscles or get angry with the Jews for their disbelief.

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (John 6:41-42)

The Son of man could have taken offense and immediately condemned the many Jews, who claimed to know God and didn’t. Instead, Jesus said, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). He patiently delivered the Gospel of salvation to the people, explaining how, through Him, the people’s lives might be spared in the time to come.

Jesus was an offense to the people in his own country. Scripture states, “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save [except] in his own country, and in his own house” (Matthew 13:57). Being an offense in the eyes of His people had to grieve Jesus’ heart. God the Father grieved with His Son because they knew the wickedness of man. We mustn’t forget the harrowing words found in Genesis 6:6. “And it repented the LORD [the LORD was sorry] that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”

Jesus suffered betrayal by those He loved. He was set up and sold. Jesus suffered grave injustices that would ultimately lead to his crucifixion. Yet, He endured, abounding in grace and mercy. It was all done for us, many of whom were and are and will continue to be enemies of the cross.

            Although Jesus was entirely God, He was also fully human and had to endure great suffering as a human being. Because those outside the faith did not know Him, Jesus was falsely accused and reviled more than the most repulsive sinner. Further, the people passionately called for his death, placing on his head a crown of thorns. The people beat Him, spat on Him, and mocked Him. In the midst of His suffering, Jesus made a plea, praying to God the Father: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39).

            Can you imagine the awful suffering Jesus had to be experiencing for Him to ask His Father to remove the cup of suffering? Christ said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38). Still, He did not abandon the mission, knowing the persecution He faced was temporary and for the greater good of the people.

            While Jesus hung there on the cross, He was taunted, ridiculed, and laughed to scorn by the chief priests and the scribes. They tried our Lord, saying, “He saved others; himself he cannot save” (Mark 15:31). Our limited minds cannot fathom just how bad this suffering was. Through it, Jesus kept His focus. Right before the end, Jesus, with a loud voice, cried out to His Father, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (v. 34). Can you place yourself on that cross? It is not the meaningless cross we display in our yards, wear around our necks and fingers, or on our t-shirts to be seen and praised by the world. The cross Jesus calls us to bear is an offense to the world. Carrying the cross is impossible when our friendship is with the world.

            God did not forsake His Son, though for a time Jesus felt abandoned. Jesus knew full well the mission, knowing what He had to suffer: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus endured without arguing, pleading His case, begging for His life, or running from death. He was silent, knowing He was about to defeat death. Jesus said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18).

Jesus’s Call to His Followers

            Because Jesus loves us and wants us to be with Him in glory, He warns us not to fall prey to this fallen world and all of its vile affections. God “will [desires to] have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Eternity requires holiness; being holy requires that we die to our lusts and to all our selfish desires. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). That is the doctrine of the cross. The call is for every person who will hear it: “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

            “For even hereunto were [we] called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that [we] should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). The world is looking on Jesus’s followers with scorn; they are relentless in tempting us and setting traps for us. We must be vigilant and resist them. They will do whatever the devil wants them to do. The evil-doer will never stop trying to lure us into believing a lie. Jesus said of them, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth” (John 8:44). The fight and suffering will be ongoing until Jesus returns. We must be willing to die for Him; “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:25). Rejection of the cross is death. Jesus said, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:38). Don’t you want Jesus to find you worthy? If so, take up your cross.

The Trials and Tribulations We Shall Face

            We will all experience outward troubles and inner distress. Each human being will have their own cross to bear. Some will cause their own suffering due to living apart from God. Others will suffer because they live in obedience to God. There will be afflictions in the body. Suffering is a part of our fallen state. People will hold many of us in contempt and scorn, attempting to discredit us and destroy our character.

            In some instances, we may lack life’s everyday necessities (food, clothing, water, shelter) for a time, as Jesus’ apostles did. Some people will be imprisoned or killed for professing faith and belief in Christ, as is happening all around the world by the enemies of Christ. Trials of any kind may come against us to test our faith. In all our suffering, however, God will be in the midst. That is the hope of the faithful.

            Who are we that we dare say we will not suffer because we are Christians and are not slaves to sin? If we, for one second, believe that we will not suffer and take it upon ourselves to esteem ourselves above Jesus, we have entered dangerous territory. “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Gal. 6:3). Surely, if we think we are higher than Jesus, we have fallen into grand delusions.

            Buckle up, because if any of us have not yet suffered, we can rest assured that tribulations are on the way. We had better have a good standing relationship with Jesus when they do come. A changed and obedient life does not mean a life that will never experience hardships or that is free from pain and sorrow. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5).

            Suffering, be it in the death of loved ones, in our physical bodies, in being the object of another’s scorn, in rejection or abandonment, injustice, in discrimination, inner afflictions, in betrayal, in false accusations and imprisonment, in hatred, or any other behavior that brings undue stress and strain into our lives.

            We should not fret the small stuff, though. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” No one, I tell you! Jesus can identify with our suffering. In our suffering, we identify with Him to some extent. In our most trying times, we can be at peace, knowing that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

The Power to Stand

            Christ’s followers, like the Apostle Paul, believe they “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them]” (Philippians 4:13). This we know is true, even when we are severely tested and afflicted. The Holy Spirit provides us with all we need to continue our walk on earth boldly. God would not have invited us to share in Christ’s suffering without first equipping us for it.   

            “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). We who are strong in the faith and keep God’s commandments, Jesus expects us to “rejoice, inasmuch as [we] are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, [we] may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13). God has equipped us with a spirit “of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” (2 Tim. 1:7). Connecting to that power is critical in our carrying the cross.

            Christians will not be overcome with fear when afflictions arise. Why? “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). God is our protection, strength, power source, and He has great things in store for the faithful Christian. Paul testifies to what is to come. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,” (Romans 8:18).

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor. 4:17-18)

The faithful know and understand the magnitude of eternal things. They will never pass away. That gives us great hope when troubles cross our paths; our attention is firmly planted on eternal things. 

            God’s love will comfort us. His grace will always be enough. His power will rest within us to keep us through all our trials. Jesus is speaking to us, saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9a). Our declarations should be like the apostle Paul’s.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Cor. 12:9b, 10)

God will strengthen us to endure whatever opposition we face. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).

In our afflictions, we will be able to say, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed,” (2 Cor. 4:8, 9). Having unwavering faith in those precious words empowers the obedient believer to endure hardships. Jesus bears our burdens.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

By no means will our lives be free of suffering. However, we can rest in the knowledge of Jesus, knowing that He has promised us rest for our burdened and weary souls. Jesus said, “In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The Enduring Christian’s Reward

            Getting into heaven won’t be easy. Luke says, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). In our suffering, we must look to God and be totally dependent on Him; our eyes must not lose sight of the LORD.

            “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed” (Romans 5:3-5). We have nothing to worry about in the sea of suffering that we are going to have to swim through. God has His hand on His children and will bless us with spiritual blessings that the unbelieving heart will never understand. Cross-bearing is ultimately about salvation and living with Jesus for eternity.

            In bearing the cross, we are, like the apostle Paul, pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). The crown of life is the Christian’s prize.

For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (vv. 20, 21)

The experience of the cross is about getting to know Jesus intimately in all His excellent glory and power. We who are faithful to the cross never walk alone in our suffering, but hand-in-hand with the One who holds the keys to heaven and hell. Our reward awaits us in glory. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Conclusion

God’s word never tells us to seek comfort in the world. It instructs us to trust and have faith in Him and to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Here on earth, Christians will suffer persecution, but they know that if they hold out until the end of this present-day suffering, “the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Jesus wants us to seek heavenly treasures and to rejoice in suffering. Fiery darts will come, but to stand, we must keep our eyes on the prize, nonetheless. Jesus is calling us out of the world that values and worships everything but Him. Christians have a charge to keep their eyes on God and to do nothing that would cause others to stumble or blaspheme His name. Jesus is more concerned with our living a godly life, spreading the Gospel, bearing one another’s burdens, serving Him, and increasing the kingdom by winning souls to Christ. The Christian’s home is in heaven; that is where they will live their best lives. John says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Our suffering will be over for eternity. In chapter one of the Epistle of James, he says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (v. 12). From the mouth of Jesus comes these living words: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer … be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).  

Please note that all biblical references are from the King James Version.

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