Chapter 4 - On pain and suffering

What does it mean to suffer? First we noted that the underlying origin of pain, suffering, and death is the fall and sin of man. We saw the distinction between suffering and pain -- in suffering there is the concept of a longer time period, and for specific reasons. At times, suffering results in decisions made by ourselves (both wise and unwise -- an example of the latter is choosing to sin, and thus suffering the consequences of it). Other times suffering comes upon us that we cannot escape. Yet, in God's infinite wisdom, He has made it possible for even suffering to be a "great mercy" -- in the sense that through it, we have the opportunity to see and experience more of the glory of God.

What kind of "suffering for Christ" do we face today? We noticed that by and large in N.A. we will not be subject to the physical persecution that faced believers in other times or are facing believers in other parts of the world today. However, persecution in the social and emotional senses are very real. In fact, it would be quite abnormal for us as Christians to be living in the world and be comfortably pain-free... if we are, we might ask whether we have become so "conformed to the world"! For believers in early church times, the realities of experiencing God's love and suffering for Christ were synonymous. Yet, in our culture, the deceitfulness of the "prosperity gospel" may well have influenced the thinking of many who claim to follow Christ. (Of course, there is nothing wrong with being materially blessed. God may lay certain convictions on our hearts as to how to disperse these resources, and we must act out of a right heart's attitude.)

On a more personal aspect of suffering, what does Paul mean when he writes, "I die every day"? We discussed how this refers to the "dying to self" -- in all things, not I, but Christ. The whole of our "old man" and its nature -- self-will, self-centredness, pride, confidence, and so on -- is being put to death, if only we would submit ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. This too, is a road of suffering as we learn to yield our own wants and desires to Christ, but the end is far more glorious!