What does the Bible say about?

[PJM]

What does the Bible say about suffering and how does it fit into your own beliefs and understanding?

 

[Heuchler]

Well the book of Job is devoted to this subject with the verses, “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” along with a verse from Christ that “the rain falls on the just and unjust alike”.

Suffering fits into my beliefs through the idea that our world was not made to be perfect. There was always meant to be a degree of suffering. Because without suffering, how are we to grow and find true faith. Our faith grows when we continue to believe as we suffer. We can only have true hope if there is suffering. We can only truly love someone when we are suffering and don’t want to be the kind loving person we are called to be. Faith is admirable when you believe throughout all the suffering. Hope is real when you always joyfully await a better time through suffering. True love is found when you suffer for others. “Greater love hath no man than to die for one’s friends” Greater Love is when a mother struggles through a painful disease to help her children every day with a smile on her face. Greater Love is when a christian joyfully suffers death for his beliefs. Greater Love is when when a father takes a bullet for his son. It is only in suffering that we are truly human and truly rise to the calling of God in this fallen world. We are told to take up our crosses, to bear suffering. Don’t run from it and don’t fear it. Suffering is honorable and noble if we have the right attitude and carry on.

 

[someguy14]

Suffering
Suffer

1 Corinthians 6:7 KJV
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong ? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded ?

2 Corinthians 11:20 KJV
For ye suffer , if a man bring you into bondage , if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself , if a man smite you on the face.

1 Corinthians 4:12 KJV
And labour , working with our own hands: being reviled , we bless ; being persecuted , we suffer it :

2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed : for I know whom I have believed , and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

[JRKH]

Off the top of my head there is

“…take up your cross and follow me” - Jesus

“No greater Love has a man than that he lay down his life for another” - Jesus

“My sufferings make up for what is lacking in Christ’s” - St Paul

Then there are the beatitudes…
Blessed are those who = mourn = are poor in spirit = those persecuted for righteousness sake
“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

Paul says it best in Romans 8
When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

If we suffer with Him we will also be glorified with Him.

Peace
James

 

[Zenas]

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Colossians 1:24.

“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” 1 Peter 4:1.

I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about suffering until farily recently. It’s something I didn’t want to contemplate, and I regarded those who advocated that suffering somehow makes you a better and more complete person as religious fanatics. But then I undertook a study of the subject and soon found that they were right and I was wrong. Aside from the book of Job, which has already been mentioned, the two verses that stood out the most to me are those quoted above.

 

[someguy14]

Hebrews 11:25 KJV
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

 

[someguy14]

1 Peter 4:1 KJV

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

 

[Holly3278]

The Bible has much to say about suffering. Personally, I am thankful for my suffering because my suffering draws me closer to God. Also, I can offer it up to God and unite it to Jesus’ sufferings so that He can bring more grace to others and also to me through my sufferings.

 

[stayinthelight]

The Bible has much to say about suffering. Personally, I am thankful for my suffering because my suffering draws me closer to God. Also, I can offer it up to God and unite it to Jesus’ sufferings so that He can bring more grace to others and also to me through my sufferings.

Good comment, Holly.

I’ve started to think a lot about suffering. And I believe it is one of the most transforming experiences we can have. When we suffer with Christ, we grow spiritually. I’ve become more aware of my thoughts, and the amount of suffering there is in my mind, and in the world in general.

I have learned that suffering can be joyful and meaningful, if I embrace the suffering and offer it to God. And it feels like Christ’s spirit really does come inside me in those moments.

The more suffering that I embrace, the more joy I experience in my life. When I try to avoid suffering, I still suffer, but it’s a miserable suffering, instead of a joyful, meaningful suffering.

God bless you.

 

[boastinjesus]

God created a good world without suffering, sin entered the world (and thus suffering), and God is redeeming His creation and promises that one day it will end. Some suffering is a direct result of sin that needs to be repented of, and some is because we are trying to live like Christ in a fallen world and is persecution.

 

[Heuchler]

God created a good world without suffering, sin entered the world (and thus suffering), and God is redeeming His creation and promises that one day it will end. Some suffering is a direct result of sin that needs to be repented of, and some is because we are trying to live like Christ in a fallen world and is persecution.

I don’t think suffering is completely from sin or evil. If that were true why would Christ suffer or why would he say “Greater love hath no man than to die[to suffer] for ones friends”.

 

[Syele]

I don’t think suffering is completely from sin or evil. If that were true why would Christ suffer or why would he say “Greater love hath no man than to die[to suffer] for ones friends”.

Jesus would not have needed to suffer if not for mans sin. YOUR suffering is not necessarily from YOUR own sin. It could be due to someone else’s sin. Often sin causes someone suffering other than the sinner. (If I shot you, you would be the first to suffer as a result.)

I believe all suffering is the result of sin, God did not desire that His Children suffer. We (as the human race) brought it on ourselves by disobeying Him. If you suffer for your friends, you are doing something for them, like the example someone used when a father takes a bullet to save his child. Jesus suffered for OUR sins, not His own so that though He never sinned, He still suffered.

So its not that suffering is evil, its that is is caused by evil. God can make everything work for good in the end, even things caused by evil.

 

[someguy14]

God created a good world without suffering, sin entered the world (and thus suffering), and God is redeeming His creation and promises that one day it will end. Some suffering is a direct result of sin that needs to be repented of, and some is because we are trying to live like Christ in a fallen world and is persecution.

1 Peter 2:20 KJV
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults , ye shall take it patiently ? but if, when ye do well , and suffer for it, ye take it patiently , this is acceptable with God.

 

[You]

Apostolic Letter SALVIFICI DOLORIS

 

[JRKH]

Jesus would not have needed to suffer if not for mans sin. YOUR suffering is not necessarily from YOUR own sin. It could be due to someone else’s sin. Often sin causes someone suffering other than the sinner. (If I shot you, you would be the first to suffer as a result.)

I believe all suffering is the result of sin, God did not desire that His Children suffer. We (as the human race) brought it on ourselves by disobeying Him. If you suffer for your friends, you are doing something for them, like the example someone used when a father takes a bullet to save his child. Jesus suffered for OUR sins, not His own so that though He never sinned, He still suffered.

So its not that suffering is evil, its that is is caused by evil. God can make everything work for good in the end, even things caused by evil.

(Bolding Added)

Forgive me for being a bit picky for there is much good in your response. However I feel the need point out that the bolded section above is contradicted in the Gospel in John 9:1-3.
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.
Of course today, no one would equate a child being born blind to sin (though it is possible) or as divine punishment for sin, but the Jews of Jesus day certainly did.
More important for us to understand in this is what Jesus means by “but that the works of God might be made manifest in him”. Certainly it means that Jesus will cure the man, but even more it means that we, by our own actions in Love toward such ones, make manifest God’s Love to our fellow man.

Peace
James

 

[Heuchler]

Jesus would not have needed to suffer if not for mans sin. YOUR suffering is not necessarily from YOUR own sin. It could be due to someone else’s sin. Often sin causes someone suffering other than the sinner. (If I shot you, you would be the first to suffer as a result.)

I believe all suffering is the result of sin, God did not desire that His Children suffer. We (as the human race) brought it on ourselves by disobeying Him. If you suffer for your friends, you are doing something for them, like the example someone used when a father takes a bullet to save his child. Jesus suffered for OUR sins, not His own so that though He never sinned, He still suffered.

So its not that suffering is evil, its that is is caused by evil. God can make everything work for good in the end, even things caused by evil.

Then why is suffering such an honorable thing. Why is it so helpful in our salvation. It is through suffering that we have true faith, hope, or love. It is in suffering that we are freed from our sins in purgatory. Spiritual Death and damnation to Hell is the punishment of sin, not suffering. If suffering was the punishment then we would all be in a torture room seaking forgiveness instead of on Earth. And if suffering was the punishment, then why isn’t that removed for our lives as our sins and the death of our souls are removed by Christ’s death

I also don’t think the world we live in gives evidence that the Earth was made without suffering at any point. Science has not found any evidence that there was no suffering before humans (as there is evidence that animals and life on earth went on the same way it does today with death and suffering) I think the Bible doesn’t even say the whole world was without suffering. Yes, the fields were easier to plow and there may not have been pains in childbirth, but the Bible doesn’t specifically say anything about other suffering. It says that on the day you sin you will surely die (but they did not physically die indicating that it was a spiritual death) you will toil in the fields and have pain in childbirth. It never condemns humanity to suffering diseases or injuries.

 

[cooterhein]

A few passages, roughly categorized in ways that have something to do with how they fit into my own beliefs and understanding. It’s a starting point, at least.

Suffering of Jesus
Mt 17:12, Mk 8:31 and 9:12, Lk 9:22 and 17:25 all say “the Son of God must suffer.”
Lk 24:46, Acts 3:18, 17:3, and 26:23- “Christ had to suffer and rise again.”
1 Pet. 2:21,23, 4:1, and 5:1- “Christ suffered for you…in the flesh.”

Suffering of Christians
Acts 5:41- “Considered worthy to suffer for His name.”
Rom 8:17- “provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”
1 Cor 12:26- “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.”
Phil 3:10- “that I might know…the fellowship of His sufferings”
Col 1:24- “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”
2 Tim 1:8, 2:3- “Join me in suffering hardship for the Gospel…suffer hardship with me.”
Jas 5:13- “If anyone among you is suffering, let him pray.”
1 Pet 3:17, 4:13- “if God should will it, that you suffer for doing what is right…share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing.”

Looking Forward (in ways that are generally comparative)
Isa 25:8- “He will swallow up death…wipe away tears…remove the reproach of His people from all the earth.”
Rev 21:4- “there shall no longer be mourning, crying, or pain.”
Rom 8:18- “sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
2 Cor 4:17- “momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”
Obligatory link to to appropriate CS Lewis PDF- verber.com/mark/xian/weight-of-glory.pdf Preached originally as a sermon in the Church of St. Mary, the Virgin. Oxford.

A few comments of my own: There are different kinds of suffering that happen for different reasons. Some of it- given the right circumstances- is generally positive in its reasons, purposes, benefits, or effects. Other times, not so much. It depends.
Suffering for Christians following Christ comes as a Biblical guarantee. However, this does not mean we should seek, desire, court, invite, or pursue suffering. (We shouldn’t). Christians should bear with one another through suffering in a manner befitting the Gospel, but that doesn’t mean we should pridefully claim it as a badge of courage. (We shouldn’t). On a related note, we should also avoid anything like a persecution complex or a martyr complex. I place special emphasis on complex.

A slightly longer passage
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
-1 Pet 4:12-19

And one more.
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
-Rom 5:2-5

There’s a lot more in the way of Biblical material that’s suffering-pertinent, but these are a few that have stuck out to me over the years.

 

[PJM]

=stayinthelight;8433060]Good comment, Holly.

I’ve started to think a lot about suffering. And I believe it is one of the most transforming experiences we can have. When we suffer with Christ, we grow spiritually. I’ve become more aware of my thoughts, and the amount of suffering there is in my mind, and in the world in general.

I have learned that suffering can be joyful and meaningful, if I embrace the suffering and offer it to God. And it feels like Christ’s spirit really does come inside me in those moments.

The more suffering that I embrace, the more joy I experience in my life. When I try to avoid suffering, I still suffer, but it’s a miserable suffering, instead of a joyful, meaningful suffering.

God bless you.

WOW You get it:thumbsup:

God Bless you,
Pat

 

[PJM]

So my friends;
Does suffering HAVE a role in salvation? And if so WHAT

And IF not way is there suffering?

 

[Heuchler]

So my friends;
Does suffering HAVE a role in salvation? And if so WHAT

And IF not way is there suffering?

Yes, we are called to take up our crosses and to follow Christ. You can’t really love or help people if you are always running from suffering and not willing to sacrifice things.