WHY THE GODLY SUFFER----A LETTER TO A FRIEND. COPYRIGHT © JANUARY 14, 1996 All rights reserved. This file, in its entirety, may be posted on or copied off of computer networks like Internet or WWW by anyone so inclined. L. Tyler, P.O.Box 620763, San Diego, CA 92162-0763 P.O. Box 734, El Centro, CA 92244 oldservant@delphi.com Dear friend, Please remember the point about 1 Cor. 10:13*, He doesn't allow you to be tried more than you can bear, because you are stronger, have a better understanding of spiritual warfare and a deeper faith, the trials will be greater--but never more than you can bear. Consider the trials of John the Baptist and all the apostles except John. They all died violent deaths at the hands of those who hate them, but never more than they could bear. [1 Cor. 10: 12 So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has taken you but [what is] common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear [it].] An exercise is no exercise if it doesn't challenge you at the point where you have to strain and go aerobic, sometimes painfully. The same with "spiritual" muscles, the trial has to produce stress, strain and even pain for you to become stronger, more capable, more useful and fruitful. The fruitful vine looks terrible when it is pruned, and it would feel terrible if it could feel, but because it is pruned it has the potential of being more fruitful, and I know you want more fruit of the Spirit in your life. I know that you want to compassionately cherish God and others even more than you do now, and that's how you get there. This life is boot camp and a war, which, thank God, is shortened for our sakes. Our resurrected life with Jesus Christ is worth the struggle. All of our experiences in this mortal life can be used of God to prepare us to help, comfort, teach, encourage, edify etc others better when we are given the opportunity to be his delegated agents on earth as he rules from Jerusalem in fulfillment of His promises to King David. To rule the earth with Him enthroned in Jerusalem for a 1000 years (Rev. 20: 2-7), to walk around as His agents enabled to raise the dead, open the eyes of the blind, to bind up the broken limbs and hearts, to counsel the broken hearted with wisdom inspired of God, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to free the captives, to teach in power the lost how they can be found etc etc etc etc. I can hardly wait! Please consider attending a Christian divorce/grief recovery support group. You are still deeply grieving inside over your ex and those "saints" that so deeply and carnally broke your heart. I know that I desperately needed and greatly benefited from the free one I attended at Del Cerro So. Bapt. Church. It was critical in my recovery and in my readiness to be healed and in my learning how and where I needed to grow, to forgive my ex, and to prepare my heart for my next. Many churches and ministries have free support groups that are usually extremely helpful. Please call around for times and places and pray about attending and let the Lord minister to you through the saints. But why does He allow us to suffer, to grieve so deeply and have hearts so broken than you can feel the pain throughout your chest, so depressed that it seems a struggle to survive, grief so deep that you never know what will cause the tears to flow next? Here are some that I have become aware of and they are all for our good. Please consider them and, in each, ask if its goal was accomplished in your life. ------WE HAVE SUFFERED, GRIEVED, BEEN HURT, BEEN WOUNDED ---- € 1. So that we can know that we belong to Christ. If the world hated Him, it will hate us too----if we live like He wants us to live. [2 Tim 3:11 . . . What persecutions I endured! But the Lord delivered me out of all. 12 Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.; 1 Pet. 2: 19 For this [is an undeserved gift of loving kindness] , if for conscience [toward] God anyone endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory [is it] if you patiently endure [while] sinning and being buffeted? But if you suffer [while] doing good, and patiently endure, this [is an undeserved gift of loving kindness] from God. 21 For were you not called to this? For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps,; Mat. 13: 20 But that which was sown on the stony places is this: he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 But he has no root in himself, and is temporary. For when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately stumbles. 22 And that sown into the thorns is this: he who hears the word; and the anxiety of this world, and the deceit of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But that sown on the good ground is this: "he who hears the Word and understands; who also bears fruit and produces" one truly a hundredfold; and one sixty; and one thirty.] € 2. Because we are followers of Christ, who was tortured and executed by the world. If they did it to Him, they'll surely do it to us too. All but one of the apostles were martyred. [John 15: 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My saying, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. € 3. So that evil doers will not come to God just to escape from Hell and suffering in this life. He wants sinners to come to Him because they love Him who first loved them, not because they forgot to join the Noah's Ark Club and don't want to drown. The promise that all who live godly in Christ Jesus is often enough to scare away the superficial and shallow pretenders. He allows evil to happen to His own children, to separate the wheat from the chaff and so that we may find out if our faith is real, or just froth. Noah's flood Genesis 6 + Rev. 21:27 [Mat. 13: 20 But that which was sown on the stony places is this: he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 But he has no root in himself, and is temporary. For when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately stumbles. 1 John 2:18 ¶ Little children, it is the last time. And just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have risen up, from which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have continued with us. But [they went out] so that it might be revealed that they were not all of us.] € 4. So that we wont miss (be homesick, want to look/go back like Lot's wife did) this world's social-economic-political system when we are in Heaven or ruling with Christ on earth. To love the world's social, political, and economic systems is to be God's enemy. [1 John 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 16 because all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.; Heb. 11: 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. And they were persuaded of [them] and embraced [them] and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they who say such things declare plainly that they seek a fatherland. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they stretch forth to a better [fatherland], that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.] € 5. So that we can know how and why to choose between the good and the evil. We don't seem to be so inclined to do evil if we know it is going to hurt, and hurt us specifically. [Deut. 30:15 ¶ Behold! I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil, 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. And the LORD your God shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it. 17 But if you turn away your heart, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away and worship other gods [self, money, sex etc.] and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong [your] days on the land where you pass over Jordan to go to possess it. 19 I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live, 20 so that you may love the LORD your God, . .] € 6. Because of our own sins. Our Father Loves us enough to discipline us. Our Shepherd King Loves we sheep enough to use His rod on us when we need it to see His way. 1 Cor. 5 1 ¶ Everywhere [it is] reported [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not named among the nations, so as one to [sexually] have [his] father's wife. 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, so that he who has done this deed may be taken from your midst. 3 For as being absent in body but present in spirit, I indeed have judged already [as though I were] present [concerning] him who worked out this thing; 4 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, with my spirit; also, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ; 5 to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor. 11: 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread and drink of that cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many among you [are] weak and sickly, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by [the] Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Hebrews 12: 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him; 6 for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For truly they chastened [us] for a few days according to their own pleasure, but He for our profit, that [we] might be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now chastening for the present does not seem to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it.] € 7. To cause us to learn to be humble, to keep us from thinking better of ourselves than is correct or appropriate. [ 2 Cor. 12For I will speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone should think of me as [being] beyond what he sees me, or hears of me; 7 and by the surpassing revelations, lest I not be made haughty, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be made haughty. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me. 10 Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am powerful. € 8. To caution us against being arrogant or having ignorant presumption in prayer, and to exhibit to us His all- sufficiency in all the affairs of our personal lives. If you think there is some part of your life that you can handle without God's help, and you are His child, it wont be long before He lets things happen in that area of your life that will bring you to your knees in prayer. [Rom 5:3 And not only [this], but we glory in afflictions also, knowing that afflictions work out patience, 4 and patience [works out] experience, and experience [works out] hope. 5 And hope does not make [us] ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through [the] Holy Spirit given to us. 2 Cor.12: 7-10 SEE ABOVE] € 9. To help and enable us to learn and acquire patience, experience and hope in the compassionate cherishing of God in the midst of trials and suffering. Rom. 5:3,4 SEE ABOVE € 10. Becasue of His Name- Because of His Truth - Because of His Life - Because of the shining Light of His Truth, becauwse it is an honor to be counted worthy of His sufferings if God permits. [Acts 5:40 And calling the apostles, beating [them], they commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then indeed they departed from [the] presence of the sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be shamed for His name. ; Rom 8: 17 ¶ And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with [Him], we may also be glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the coming glory to be revealed in us.] € 11. So that we may have the honor of being glorified together with Him who suffered so greatly at the hands of this world's social system. [Rom. 8:17 SEE ABOVE] € 12. So that we may be perfected, completed, and matured spiritually in our lives in Christ. [Heb. 2: 9 But we see Jesus, who [was] made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by [the] grace of God should taste death for every [son]. 10 For it became Him, for whom [are] all things and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons into glory, to perfect the Captain of their salvation through sufferings. ; 1 Pet. 5: 10 ¶ But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, [He] will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish [you]. € 13. So that we may learn to Love Jesus and His Way enough to obey Him even when it hurts. [Heb. 5:7* [For Jesus], in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong cryings and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared, 8* though being a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9* And being made perfect, He became [the] Author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him,; Psalm 15:4 € 14. So that we may be established, strengthened and settled in Christ, pruned of all the dead wood in our lives. [1 Peter 5:10 see above] € 15. Because they hated and killed Jesus they will hate and try to kill the Jesus in us. [Lk. 6: 22 Blessed [are] you when men shall hate you, and when they shall cut you off, and when they shall reproach [you] and shall cast out your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. For behold, your reward [is] great in Heaven. For so their fathers did according to these things to the prophets.; John 15:18,19 see above.] € 16. To end at us the cycle of some of the hate and violence in our lives, we being shock absorbers for the evil around us, so that it will stop at us and we will learn not to pass it on. He has called us to turn the cheek, go the second mile and bless and pray for those who curse and abuse us. [Luke 6: 27* ¶ But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you. 29* And to him who strikes you on the [one] cheek, also offer the other. And to him who takes away your garment, do not forbid your tunic also. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from him who takes away your goods, do not ask [them] again. 31 And as you desire that men should do to you, you do also to them likewise. 32 For if you love those who love you, what thanks do you have? For sinners also love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you have? For sinners also do the same. 34 And if you lend [to those] of whom you hope to receive, what thanks do you have? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing [in return]. And your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and [to] the evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.Matt. 5; Romans 12: 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. . . . 17* Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If [it is] possible, as far as [is] in you, seeking peace with all men. 19* not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay, says [the] Lord." 20 Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For [in so] doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head. 21* Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.; 1 Cor. 6: 7 Indeed then there is already a failure with you all, that you have lawsuits with yourselves. Why not instead be wronged? Why not instead be defrauded? 8 But you do wrong and defraud, and these things to brothers. € 17. So that our enduring and genuine faith may bring praise, honor and glory at His appearing in the presence of all the angels, demons, cherubim, seraphim and those with Christ. [Hebrews 12:1 ¶ Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured [the] cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds. 1 Pet. 1: 6 ¶ in which you greatly rejoice, yet a little [while], if need be, grieving in manifold temptations; 7 so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, . .] € 18. So that we could experience God's solutions and faithfulness and comfort for our griefs and trials so we will have learned how to share His comforting solutions with the others He leads us to who are experiencing similar grievous trials. Preparation for ministry now and in the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. [2 Cor. 1:3 ¶ Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. 2 Timothy2: 11 Faithful [is] the word, for if we are dead with [Him], we shall also live with [Him]. 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [Him]. . . . Revelations 20: 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And [I saw] the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received [his] mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. € 19. that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him. 2 Thessalonians 1: 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, my brothers, as it is right, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you abounds toward one another; 4 so much so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations which you endure. 5 ¶ For [this is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer, . . . 11 ¶ Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.