Suffering for Right and Wrong

 

Suffering for Right and Wrong                                                     

Erie City Mission     4-30-2018

One of the questions that many people ask is “Why do bad things happen to good people”? The question seems to imply that if bad things happen to bad people they are getting what they deserve, but if bad things happen to good people, then it is not fair. Some would even say God is not fair. What I am going to show from the Bible is that suffering has a purpose and that God is not only fair but loving and compassionate when He allows suffering.

Some kinds of suffering are the direct result of sin or a crime. If a murderer is sentenced to life in prison, he is suffering for his crime. But not all criminals get caught and not all crimes are punished through the justice system. In fact, many times the innocent are punished for the crimes of the guilty. But when bad things happen to bad people, we often say they are getting what they deserve. Let’s say,, for example, a serial killer and child molester comes down with a serious, painful and terminal case of cancer. Many people would say he got what he deserved.

But what if there was a person who was well-loved by everyone who knew him. He was kind and generous. He gave his time and money to help people less fortunate than himself. He never said a bad thing about anybody. What if that person came down with terminal cancer and had a long and painful death. Many of us would say it was not fair that he should suffer in this way. Some would even question the goodness and love of God that he would allow such a good person to suffer. Some would think that God is powerless and unable to save. Some would even question the very existence of God. Many atheists use the reality of suffering as a reason not to believe in God.

Does the Bible give any answers to these questions? Does the word of God give an answer to the question “Why do various people suffer”? I have often heard people say we should never ask God “why am I suffering”. It is very common for people to say, “we will never know why we have had to endure certain hardships until we get to Heaven”. This seems very depressing to me. I want to be able to ask God “why?” and get a very clear and simple answer. Does God really withhold the reason for our suffering? I say no. I think the Bible actually gives a very clear reason for suffering, which is full of hope and purpose”. The answer is simple. God uses suffering to test our faith, to produce character in us, and to conform us to the image of Christ.

Romans 5:3,4 “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

These verses and say that we should glory in tribulations, because of what those tribulations produce in our lives. First perseverance: the ability to endure hardship, the ability to complete a task, the ability to be patient with difficult people. Character. Character can mean a great many things. I think of honest and integrity. Compassion, kindness, fairness, a forgiving spirit. Hope. Hope in Romans 5 is the hope of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Trials produce patience. Some people half-jokingly say, never pray for patience because God will bring trouble into your life. These verses say “count it all joy” when you face troubles because the testing of your faith produces patience. But patience is not an end in itself. Patience is part of the process, with the result of becoming perfect and complete. When will we become perfect and complete? When we become like Jesus.

I John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

So, as we have seen, the purpose of suffering is to test our faith. To produce perseverance, character and hope. What is that hope? It is the hope of someday becoming perfect and complete. It is the hope of becoming like Jesus. Becoming free from sin. Becoming pure, even as Jesus is pure.

Yes! When we are suffering, it is OK to ask God why? It is not a mystery that will only be revealed in Heaven. God is not keeping the reason for your suffering or mine a secret. He has told us clearly in His holy word the Bible, exactly why he has brought suffering into our lives. It is to make us more and more like Jesus.

Romans 8:18-19 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”

Things might be tough down here. It may seem like the suffering never stops. Sometimes it appears that suffering is so meaningless, so random, so without purpose. But if we believe that the Bible is God’s holy word. If we are trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the only way of salvation. If we read, believe and obey God’s word with the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. Then we can know that our suffering has a purpose.

Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

I just want to end with the following passage from I Peter 3:13-17

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Book of I Peter was written to Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. Peter makes sure they understand that it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. If we suffer for doing good, we need to live in such a way that our good conduct will make those who falsely accuse us ashamed. If you have been falsely accused you are in good company, so was Jesus. If you have been mocked or scorned because of your righteousness, so was Jesus. If you have been abandoned by people you love, so was Jesus. And how did Jesus respond?  He continued to love. He continued to do the will of His Father in Heaven. When we respond to suffering the same way that Jesus did, we become more and more like Him.

But don’t suffer for doing evil. Don’t suffer because of breaking the law. Don’t suffer because of a lack of self-control. If you have sinned, confess and forsake those sins, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to overcome them.