The Doctrine of Suffering Bible Studies Led by Dr. Dale Adams

Wednesday, October 7 and 14, 2009 at

VISTOSO COMMUNITY CHURCH

Foreword All humans face adversity, but often those who are uninformed

about the nature and pur-pose of divine suffering ask this question: “Now that I am a Christian, why do I have trials, adversi-ties, troubles, vexations, inexplicable complica-tions?” Christians and non-Christians alike often punctuate their accounts

of their trials and troubles in life with the query: “Why would a God of love do this to me?”

Understanding the nature and purpose of providential or divine suffering is critical to our maturing as Christians and this under-standing can be a prelude to a great witness to those who are suffering. As a result, in the fall of 2009, I undertook the task of leading two studies delving into what the Bible tells us about the Doctrine of Christian Suffering.

When many who attended the Bible Studies requested copies of my Bible Study notes, we decided to turn those notes into this booklet. This booklet allows us to more fully explore the topic and especially the Bible references referred to in the study. It is my prayer that this booklet will help all who read it better under-stand the doctrine of Christian suffering and, as a result of that understanding, have an improved capacity to face, bear, and even triumph over their times of suffering.

Unless otherwise indicated, Bible references in this booklet are from the New King James Version of the scriptures.

The Doctrine of Suffering All born-again believers are recipients of suffering (providentially congenital, earned, acquired, given, bestowed) in this life. These are but a few Bible verses that speak to the issue of suffering:

• John 16:33. Jesus said: “...In the world you will have tribula-tion….” The word for tribulation here is thlipsis, which is trans-lated affliction, harassment, vexation, suffering, adversity.

• James 1:2, 3, 12: 2My brethren, count it all joy (or think it rea-sonable) when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing (examination or evaluation) of your faith produces pa-tience (spiritual maturity). 12Blessed is the man who endures temptation (tribulation, affliction, testing); for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

• I Peter 1:6: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.

• Hebrews 12:5-6 (quoting from Proverbs 3:11, 12): My son, do not despise the chastening (discipline or cor-rection) of the Lord, Nor be dis-couraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chas-tens, And scourges (scathes or spanks) every son whom He receives. In other, words, God deals with us as a father deals with his children and what father doesn’t need to chasten his children at one time or another.

If a believer is ignorant of God-designed suffering or adversity, he or she will be unstable or shocked and implacable towards God when suffering comes. Such an attitude and conduct short circuits peace and the receiving of blessings and reward for the Christian. The doctrine of suffering is an imperative doctrine that is to be taught and metabolized into the soul. When this doctrine of suffering is not understood in all of its ramifications, this lack of understanding sidelines or benches the believer from celebration, service, witness, and the divine production that can be associ-ated with the affliction.

The Single Reason Unbelievers Suffer Before we discuss the reasons for and God’s view of the need for Christians to suffer, let us first look at the issue of the suffering of the unbeliever. There is one primary reason why unbelievers endure adversity, and that is to focus the non-Christian on the reality of eternity. Suffering or adversity make the non-believer sensitive or open to God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Consider these Bible verses that focus our attention on God’s reasons for the suffering of unbelievers:

• II Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

• Matthew 5:44-45: Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Divine Viewpoint on Christian Suffering There are at least ten reasons why Christians suffer trials, trou-bles, afflictions and we will discuss each of these reasons in more detail later in this booklet. But let’s pause here and explore the topic of Divine suffering in more detail. Human suffering comes in many forms—health or physical challenges; the irritation we suffer at the hands of other people, even our own children; privation or lack of some of the worldly goods that oth-ers enjoy; natural disasters, weather, earthquakes, floods; mental trials, often self-induced such as is the case with guilt, worry, or just ordi-nary negative thinking; injustices, even to the point of loss of personal liberty.

Certainly there is an endless list of the trials humans face in this world, but, in the midst of our trials, it is important that we as Christians understand the divine viewpoint toward our suffering rather than dwelling on our own human viewpoint. So often our human view-point makes us feel as if we are the only ones receiving this kind of treatment, this much pain, this level of anxiety. But the divine viewpoint, God’s plan, is that our suffering, troubles, trials, and agitations act as a parent, guardian, coach, and mentor to us.

Value of Christian Suffering It is the suffering in our lives that refines our character, humbles our spirit, sculpts our temperament, matures our faith. Suffering plays a major role in our spiritual momentum. It is our trials that help us reach our spiritual adulthood. We never outgrow our need for suffering and vexation. Suffering and troubles are a guarantee from God that He is working in our lives and moving us to spiritual maturity. All suffering becomes a major system for good and for the glorification of God.

As a guardian and coach in our lives, suffering is designed by God for our good because it accomplishes two things:

• Reminder. Suffering restrains us from the errors of routine sinning and arrogance, just as our parents restrained us when we were children. Suffering reminds us that we cannot count on the human viewpoint or things done in the flesh.

• Growth. Suffering challenges us to advance in God’s plan, in His way.

Suffering is used as a measurement of spiritual life. Suffering never leaves the Christian as it found him—the Christian is either better or worse as a result of suffering, but never the same. It is essential that we understand the God-plan in suffering so that we respond to suffering rather than reacting to it. When we react to suffering, we become bitter, arrogant, filled with self pity. We can even become vindictive and regress spiritually. However, when we respond to our suffering, we move deeper into God’s Word and become occupied with Christ rather than our problems. No Christian ever stands still under suffering. Christian suffering is providentially allowed by God to spiritually advance us, to pro-mote, bless, and reward us.

The Error of Prosperity Theology I must interrupt our discussion here out of necessity and make mention of the error of prosperity theology in order to maintain a clear under-standing of Christian suf-fering. It is especially im-portant that we understand this particular false teach-ing and doctrinal error. Prosperity theology is that false teaching that main-tains that every believer should be healthy and wealthy and never in a state of need if he or she is spiritually strong in the faith. Prosperity theology is based upon a false premise that faith in God makes believers

able to name and claim whatever they desire—from health to materialism. The error of prosperity theology is the false as-

sumption that places guilt and condemnation on those who are not experiencing good health or achieving wealth. There are many scriptural refer-ences that oppose prosperity theology, and I will include just three.

In I Timothy 6:6-10, we read: 6Now godliness with contentment is great gain, 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry noth-ing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these

we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Then in James 4:3, we receive this important explanation: You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss (with a defective request, off-base), that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Finally, we have this critical reminder about what is important in life from James 4:13-16: 13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a va-por that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance, All such boasting is evil.

Consider these points regarding today’s prosperity theology: • Known heresy. Prosperity theology resembles many of the

materialistic Gnostic sects that plagued the early church. The Apostles were not accommodating to or conciliatory with those who promoted such heresy. Rather the Apostles identified them as treacherous, false teachers. Christians were encour-aged to steer clear of them and to exclude them from their con-gregations.

• Arrogant assumptions. Prosperity theology teaches that what you say determines every-thing that happens to you. Proponents state that all your confessions must be stated posi-tively and without wavering and then God is required to answer. This is blatant bribing of God—arrogance to the extreme.

• Misunderstanding of the nature of God. Prosperity theology presents a distorted relation-ship between man and God, wherein the be-liever is told to demand his or her rights as an heir before God. Biblical Christianity teaches us that the true believer is dead to self and alive to God. The true Christian is not demanding from God, but is instead open to His leading.

• Misrepresents the function of the Holy Spirit. Prosperity theology presents the Holy Spirit as a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wants or wills. The Bible, however, teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a person who enables the be-liever to do God’s will and to glorify Jesus Christ.

• Establishes false values. For the majority of the prosperity purveyors, it is all about the money and devising ways to de-fraud God’s people.

Prosperity theology is money driven, not God driven. It is not established on the basis of sound Christian doctrine.

Ten Reasons Believers Suffer

The overriding principle of Di-vine suffering is the truth that all Christian suffering is de-signed by God for our blessing and advantage and ultimately to glorify God.

To test this truth, let us look at ten common reasons that believ-ers, born-again Christians, suffer:

• As discipline • To teach obedience • To test our faith • To illustrate Bible doctrine • To glorify God • To keep down pride • To develop the fruits of the Holy Spirit • To help others who suffer • To demonstrate the power of God • Because others are out of fellowship

Suffering As Discipline The most common perception is that God allows, designs, exe-cutes Christian suffering for discipline or punishment. For some, it may be the only perception of the cause of suffering.

Let’s look at what the Bible has to say on this subject in Hebrews 12:5-11: 5And you have forgotten the exhortation (the faithful, strict encouragement) which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Suffering to Teach Obedience God bestows or interjects Christian suffering so that the Christian

learns obedience, so that the Christian becomes oriented to God’s will. Consider the lesson we learn from Hebrews 5:8: though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

Jesus, who was the Son of God, put aside His deity when He came to earth, and in His hu-manity He suffered. And, the scripture tells us that through

His sufferings He learned obedience. How much more can we learn, then, through our sufferings.

Suffering to Test Our Faith God designs suffering for the believer so that his or her faith is tested, evaluated, proven. We learn this truth when we study I Peter 1:6, 7: 6In this you greatly rejoice (that you have been saved by the power of God), though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved (stressed, vexed) by various trials, 7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…. Recall that at the revelation of Jesus Christ there will be judgment of the believers.

Suffering to Illustrate Bible Doctrine Consider the suffering of Hosea, Jonah, Job. The suffering of each of these teaches us an important Bible doctrine as we are discovering in our current study on Hosea. Then there is the les-son we learn from the suffering Jesus recounts in Luke 16. 19There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24Then he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” 25But Abraham said, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and like-wise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.” 27Then he said, “I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.” 29 Abraham said to him, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

This powerful story of suffering illustrates that here on earth there are rich and poor, those who suffer and those who seem to es-cape suffering, but there is no escape after death. Lazarus was carried by angels into the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man went to a hot, burning hell. The story also tells us that there is a great gulf fixed between heaven and hell and there is no second chance after death. It also emphasizes that the word of God is a more important witness than the phenomenon of a person com-ing back from the dead.

Suffering to Glorify God Just as we learn a powerful lesson from the suffering of Lazarus, and ultimately the rich man, the Bible teaches us important les-sons about how suffering can glorify God in these passages re-ferring to the suffering of Hosea, Job, Jonah, and Samson:

Hosea 2: 16“ And it shall be, in that day,” Says the LORD, “ That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’... And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’ 19a “ I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me... 20a I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the LORD. 23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘ You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’”

• Job 42: 5I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.

6Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”… 8Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”

Jonah 2:9: But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”

Judges 16:28: Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take venge-ance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”.”

Suffering to Keep Down Pride Even such great teachers and Christian leaders as Paul required some measure of suffering as a barrier against pride. Note what Paul writes in II Corinthians 12:7-10 as recounted in the New Liv-ing Translation of the Bible: 7even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn (an irritation, harassment) in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8Three differ-ent times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That’s why I take pleas-ure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecu-tions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Suffering to Develop the Fruits of the Holy Spirit The fruits of the Holy Spirit are the inner virtues, graces that are manifested as we develop our Christian character. Paul speaks of the power of this growth in II Corinthians 4:7-18: 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excel-lence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but

not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is work-ing in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke,"* we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, hav-ing spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Suffering to Help Others Who Suffer God’s objective for constructive suffering for the believer is so

that the believer can help others who suffer. II Corinthians 1:3-4 helps us understand our need for experience with suffering so that we have the empathy necessary to comfort oth-ers: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all com-fort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Suffering to Demonstrate the Power of God Verses we have already studied when we discussed suffering to keep down pride also speak to suffering to demonstrate the power of God. In II Corinthians 12:8-10, Paul speaks of the an-swer he received from God when he prayed to have his suffering, his affliction removed: 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmi-ties, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (in the Lord).

Suffering Because Others Are Out of Fellowship This reason for suffering is one of the key reasons that the Bible admonishes Chris-tians to marry Christians. It can be a cause of suf-fering when one marriage partner is out of fellowship. It can also be a cause of suffering when other Chris-tians are out of fellowship because of our interwoven relationships. Consider this lesson from I Corinthians 12:24b-27: 24...But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body (marriage, church, national entity), but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one mem-ber suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Two Additional Reasons for Suffering The ten reasons for suffering that we discussed are not an exclu-sive list, but representative of key reasons for divine suffering. To illustrate, consider these two additional reasons why God in-troduces suffering into the life of a believer:

• To keep the believer oriented toward heaven and eternity. It is so easy for us to be distracted, even enticed, by the carnal world. Suffering can bring us back to a fo-cus on God and his plan for our life, as we read in Hebrews 11: 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[a] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things de-clare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

• To demonstrate that there are things on earth we do not under-stand. There may be no earthly reason for our suffering or the reason may be known only to God—which is the lesson we learn from the suffering of Job, Lazarus, and Hosea.

Doctrinal Principles for Divine Suffering It is important that we understand the doctrinal principles sur-rounding the topic of divine suffering , surrounding the trials en-dured by the believing Christian. These are just ten of the doc-trinal principles we can glean from this study:

• Spiritual maturity does not insulate the believer from suffering. There is no immunity from suffering—Jesus suffered, Paul suf-fered, all the Apostles except John are believed to have been martyred.

• What God does not resolve through prayer, confession, recon-ciliation, He expects us to bear. God wants us to turn to him for the strength to persevere through our suffering.

• God will never allow us to be tried beyond what we are able to bear or to endure.

• Human or carnal resources cannot compete with extreme suf-fering or disaster. Only the spiritual resources of the Word and the Holy Spirit in our soul can provide sufficient support.

• The issue of suffering is not how we feel, but how we think. Therefore, the Word of God in our soul must become more real and more powerful than the suffering or disaster we face.

• Yesterday’s victories or over comings can not carry the Chris-tian today or next week. We must be constantly renewing our-selves through the word of God.

• Christians, individually, must trust our Divine Father, Guardian, Mentor, Coach, Trainer to keep us together during our times of suffering and through the times of suffering of others. We can not go through suffering for someone else.

• Bad influences can short circuit the good doctrine in your soul and cause the believer to malfunction spiritually. It is essential that every Christian guard against lack of sound doctrine, against bad doctrine, and against the company of negative or spiritually ignorant people

• Spirituality towards others who are going through suffering is manifested by these qualities:

Restraining from judging the cause or reason for the suffering. Avoiding arrogant interference. Refraining from superimposing your will, ideas, an-swers, or counseling. Providing presence, encouragement, strength, and a reasonable amount of help.

• Divine suffering changes pseudo or shallow friends into skepti-cal and judgmental acquaintances. It is a truth that, when you face troubles, you learn who are your true friends.

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