Job 2:7-8
For the next two weekly discussions, we will focus on suffering and look at why the righteous suffers. The book of Job is a teachable book that teaches many valuable lessons regarding righteousness by depicting the life of Job. The background on Job is that he was a righteous man who lived during the age of the patriarchs. Job 1:1 states that Job "was perfect and upright man one that feared God and eschewed evil." Fearing God and turning from evil was the basic for Job's uprightness, just as it is for us today.
The two important character traits that are seen in Job are his moral integrity (perfect) and his wholehearted commitment to God (upright). These character traits highlight rightness or belief in God's Word that was depicted in his thoughts and actions. Believers are to have the same character traits.
The question becomes, if Job was so righteous, why was he allowed to suffer? First, let me just say that our faithfulness to God does not guarantee or shield believers from suffering. The Bible has many of God's faithful warriors who suffered. Joseph was one example, David, Jeremiah, Paul and our lesson character Job. The reasons why believers suffer differ as there can be many reasons for suffering. Let us example some reasons why believers suffer:
(a) Believers suffer ongoing consequences of Adam and Eve's fall.
(Genesis 3:16-10). Death, pain, sorrow and conflict invaded the lives of all humanity. Romans 8:22 speak of "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Paul's message is threefold in that creation itself is groaning (v 22), believers (v 23), and the Holy Spirit (v 26) is feeling the effects of sin and long for the time when the new earth and heaven will be re-established. Believers are to respond to the weight of sin by clothing him or herself in God's grace. His grace is sufficient.
(b) Believers suffer for the same reasons that unbelievers do, which is the consequences of his or her own actions. Galatians 6:7 tell us that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." What this means then that we as believers must continue walking in God's grace and Word as He has provided the Holy Spirit to guide us in the right way.
(c) Believers sometimes suffer because of ones inner self. We live in a sinful and corrupt world and temptation surrounds us daily. As believers witness the effects that sin has on the world in which we live we tend to become stressed and anguish over the power sin has on so many lives. What must believers do? Believers are to make intercessory prayer to God on the behalf of others and this sinful world.
(d) Believers sometimes suffer at the hands of Satan as he is the god of this present age (2 Corinthians 4:4). Job is the perfect example of the righteous suffering at the hand of Satan when he-Job had done no wrong. Satan was allowed to afflict Job from head to toe, but he wasn't allowed to touch Job's soul (Job 1-2). What must believers do? Stand like Job. Believers have God's body armour (Ephesians 6:10-17). Wear it well.
(e) Believer suffers because it is Satan's delight to persecute Christ's followers; because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Satan's mission is to destroy God's kingdom. He had no win, but he keeps trying. Believers must stand firm on God's Word and trust in Him as Christ has overcome the world.
(f) Scripture gives us the most positive reason why believers suffer, because we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Furthermore, being that we are Christian believers we are in Christ and share in His suffering (1 Peter 2:21). Romans 8:17 states that believers are in Christ, to be one with Him; we share in His sufferings. Rightly so, because Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world. Christ was glorified so we will in the end (Romans 8:17). Let me just say that Christ wept and agonized over the City of Jerusalem and their refusal to repent and accept salvation (Luke 19:41) we too are to agonize over "humanity's sinfulness and lostness" (KJV).
(g) God uses suffering in the lives of believers for several reasons, and they are: (1) it acts as a catalyst for spiritual growth and or change. This is because God knows our faults. (2) Faith testers. Suffering and trials will increase faith in God, because in situations beyond our control we will learn to depend on God for His deliverance. (3) God allows suffering to help believers grow in our Christian character and righteousness. It is His righteousness that the world must see. It is noteworthy to say that through suffering we learn patience. (4) God allows suffering so that from our experience we can encourage others who will experience pain and suffering. These are teachable moments.
(h) God allows suffering of the righteous to further the cause of His kingdom and plan of redemption. Look at Job and others who suffered for Christ's sake. The gospel message was spread and the church grew.
Christ suffered so can you and I.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
For the next two weekly discussions, we will focus on suffering and look at why the righteous suffers. The book of Job is a teachable book that teaches many valuable lessons regarding righteousness by depicting the life of Job. The background on Job is that he was a righteous man who lived during the age of the patriarchs. Job 1:1 states that Job "was perfect and upright man one that feared God and eschewed evil." Fearing God and turning from evil was the basic for Job's uprightness, just as it is for us today.
The two important character traits that are seen in Job are his moral integrity (perfect) and his wholehearted commitment to God (upright). These character traits highlight rightness or belief in God's Word that was depicted in his thoughts and actions. Believers are to have the same character traits.
The question becomes, if Job was so righteous, why was he allowed to suffer? First, let me just say that our faithfulness to God does not guarantee or shield believers from suffering. The Bible has many of God's faithful warriors who suffered. Joseph was one example, David, Jeremiah, Paul and our lesson character Job. The reasons why believers suffer differ as there can be many reasons for suffering. Let us example some reasons why believers suffer:
(a) Believers suffer ongoing consequences of Adam and Eve's fall.
(Genesis 3:16-10). Death, pain, sorrow and conflict invaded the lives of all humanity. Romans 8:22 speak of "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Paul's message is threefold in that creation itself is groaning (v 22), believers (v 23), and the Holy Spirit (v 26) is feeling the effects of sin and long for the time when the new earth and heaven will be re-established. Believers are to respond to the weight of sin by clothing him or herself in God's grace. His grace is sufficient.
(b) Believers suffer for the same reasons that unbelievers do, which is the consequences of his or her own actions. Galatians 6:7 tell us that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." What this means then that we as believers must continue walking in God's grace and Word as He has provided the Holy Spirit to guide us in the right way.
(c) Believers sometimes suffer because of ones inner self. We live in a sinful and corrupt world and temptation surrounds us daily. As believers witness the effects that sin has on the world in which we live we tend to become stressed and anguish over the power sin has on so many lives. What must believers do? Believers are to make intercessory prayer to God on the behalf of others and this sinful world.
(d) Believers sometimes suffer at the hands of Satan as he is the god of this present age (2 Corinthians 4:4). Job is the perfect example of the righteous suffering at the hand of Satan when he-Job had done no wrong. Satan was allowed to afflict Job from head to toe, but he wasn't allowed to touch Job's soul (Job 1-2). What must believers do? Stand like Job. Believers have God's body armour (Ephesians 6:10-17). Wear it well.
(e) Believer suffers because it is Satan's delight to persecute Christ's followers; because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Satan's mission is to destroy God's kingdom. He had no win, but he keeps trying. Believers must stand firm on God's Word and trust in Him as Christ has overcome the world.
(f) Scripture gives us the most positive reason why believers suffer, because we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Furthermore, being that we are Christian believers we are in Christ and share in His suffering (1 Peter 2:21). Romans 8:17 states that believers are in Christ, to be one with Him; we share in His sufferings. Rightly so, because Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world. Christ was glorified so we will in the end (Romans 8:17). Let me just say that Christ wept and agonized over the City of Jerusalem and their refusal to repent and accept salvation (Luke 19:41) we too are to agonize over "humanity's sinfulness and lostness" (KJV).
(g) God uses suffering in the lives of believers for several reasons, and they are: (1) it acts as a catalyst for spiritual growth and or change. This is because God knows our faults. (2) Faith testers. Suffering and trials will increase faith in God, because in situations beyond our control we will learn to depend on God for His deliverance. (3) God allows suffering to help believers grow in our Christian character and righteousness. It is His righteousness that the world must see. It is noteworthy to say that through suffering we learn patience. (4) God allows suffering so that from our experience we can encourage others who will experience pain and suffering. These are teachable moments.
(h) God allows suffering of the righteous to further the cause of His kingdom and plan of redemption. Look at Job and others who suffered for Christ's sake. The gospel message was spread and the church grew.
Christ suffered so can you and I.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
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