Gospel Hope in Suffering

Gospel Hope in Suffering

Why do Christians suffer?

There are certain trials we endure in life that cause us to question ourselves, our faith and even our God. We'll never know all His reasons for allowing suffering. But we do know that as the people of God we are allowed to enter into Christ's suffering (John 15:20) [*References linked below.] . We also know that He is with us in the suffering (Romans 8:35). He bore our sins and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4), and ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). He will also vindicate for all offenses done to us (Romans 12:19). In union with Christ, He feels every injury as if it were done to Him (Acts 9:4). We have a tender, compassionate Savior in Jesus.

It is easy for our flesh to despair and question God's faithfulness when we're hurting, but God the Father is not to blame for sin or the trials we endure. The blame is on us, humankind, as fallen, rebellious people (Genesis 6:5). The way to measure His heart is to look to the back to His Son, whom He sent out of love to rescue us from the ruin we bring upon ourselves (John 3:16). Then He sends His Spirit to guide and comfort us (John 14:26). Do not rest on the way things appear, rather on what we are told from Scripture. God's heart toward you is not evil, but kind.

Recall the comfort of Heidelberg 1.
"I am not my own, 1
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death, 2
to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. 3
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood, 4
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil. 5
He also preserves me in such a way 6
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head; 7
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation. 8"...
1.1 Cor 6:19, 20.
2.Rom 14:7-9.
3.1 Cor 3:23; Tit 2:14.
4.1 Pet 1:18, 19; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2.
5.Jn 8:34-36; Heb 2:14, 15; 1 Jn 3:8.
6.Jn 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 Pet 1:5.
7.Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18.
8.Rom 8:28.
❤ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A20%3B+Romans+8%3A35%3B+Isaiah+53%3A4%3B+Hebrews+7%3A25%3B+Romans+12%3A19%3B+Acts+9%3A4%3B+Genesis+6%3A5%3B+John+3%3A16%3B+John+14%3A26&version=NASB

Flawed

I am so thankful for the flawed characters in Scripture, Old and New Testaments.

  I am thankful for Abraham, the father of faith who also failed in his marriage and family roles.
 I am thankful for Moses who also lost his temper and was privileged to see the glory of the Lord.
 I am thankful for David who conspired to kill, rape, and take another man's wife, yet is known as the apple of God's eye.
 I am thankful for Peter who made bold claims about his faithfulness to Christ Jesus and proceeded to deny Him not once, not twice, but three times, and yet the Lord's faithfulness to him prevailed.
 I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ down through history and on into the present who are equally as flawed and failed in their lives and walks with the Lord, who struggle and yet own their proneness to wander.
 I am thankful because they all show us one thing: That it is not the fortitude of our faith that preserves us. It is the unfailing strength of His mercy and grace in Jesus that has saved, saves and will save us. "He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it."
 Aren't you thankful? Let the truth sink in: Jesus, Who lived, died, was buried and rose again for our salvation, is the faithful Savior whose love is never spent and whose faithfulness never runs dry. When you show Him your flaws, He will only show you the scars on His hands, feet, and side.