How does suffering become redeeming?

[arunangelo]

We all have to go through pain and suffering, because we live in a world that has sin. God, however, brings us peace and joy by comforting us (Psalm 23, Is 57:18-21; Ps 94:19). He comforts us by being one with us in our pain and suffering. He does this by becoming one of us and freely accepting the worst form of suffering. He gives us hope by overcoming suffering and death through his resurrection. Furthermore, He gives suffering redemptive value by selflessly accepting suffering in order to free us from sin (Peter 2:24, 25). His Spirit (which we can rekindle in our heart by remembering His sacrifice) enables us to accept suffering in a quiet and humble manner. Our humility then opens our heart to accept God’s grace. This helps us to overcome sin (1Peter 4:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:19-21); become forgiving and compassionate people; and build endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:2-5). Jesus, therefore, invites us to deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24; Mark 8:34; & Luke 9:23 and 14:27). We must, therefore, embrace suffering without fear, believing that it will not be too burdensome because Jesus is with us through all of it (Matthew 11:30). In addition, we must always keep in mind that the suffering of the present are nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him (Romans 8:18).

 

[B-A-C]

Amen!

Jas 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
Jas 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Jas 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

The suffering referred to here is the pain we suffer when we are rejected because we've been identified as true followers of Jesus. Much of that suffering comes from the church - from pew fillers who are lukewarm or cold toward intimacy with God.

SLE

 

[Davy]

One way to redeem ourselves in the eyes of God from our wicked sinful nature, is to prove our integrity to God and His holy standards while under trial.

When you find yourself enduring pain, suffering or persecution, think of the example Job set. He did not initially understand that all his pain and suffering was brought against him by Satan, who wanted to test him. (See Job Chapters 1 and 2)

Do not think this only happened to Job! Revelations 12:10, 11, (NASB) states: "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death." The apostle John is given a vision of Satan seen accusing God's servants, not just Job. Who knows whether the pain and suffering we are currently enduring is not in actual fact instigated by Satan to test your loyalty to God and His righteous standards.

About 600 years after Job's trials, Solomon was inspired to write: "Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me." (Proverbs 27:11, NASB) Children are here exhorted to be wise and good, so that is reflects well on one's parents, much more so on our heavenly father in heaven. When we act wisely and with integrity, it makes a reply to Satan who keeps accusing the brethren before God, the way he did with Job and as he has been doing for thousands of years with other faithful servants of God. Who Satan claims, will reject God if they have to endure pain, suffering or persecution.

We can redeem ourselves in the eyes of God from our wicked sinful nature by proving our integrity to God and His holy standards while under pain, suffering or persecution, and make His heart feel glad!

 

[jiggyfly]

We can redeem ourselves in the eyes of God from our wicked sinful nature by proving our integrity to God and His holy standards while under pain, suffering or persecution, and make His heart feel glad!

What do you think was the purpose of Christ's sacrifice?

 

[Davy]

Hi, jiggyfly, you asked: What do you think was the purpose of Christ's sacrifice? <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Jesus died so that anyone who exercises faith in the value of the ransom sacrifice can have their sins forgiven, and receive everlasting life! (John 3:16) Those who are not repentant and reject God are clearly not exercising faith in the value of the ransom sacrifice, and will be cut off from before God. Further more, Satan is allowed by God to test their faith and integrity, just like Job and the apostle Paul. While under trial, if you were to reject God and brake His righteous standards and show a unrepentant rebellious attitude, you could not redeem yourself in the eyes of God from your sinful nature because you are no longer exercising faith!

Paul wrote in Galatians 3:22, (NASB): "But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." The Greek word for "BELIEVE" is "pisteuō" which means to have solid conviction in something not just mere credence. How can you have a solid conviction in something if you do not apply it in you life! If you really believe in Jesus and what he died for, it will impact how you live you thinking, behavior and whole life, which is exercising faith in Jesus and the ransom sacrifice.

Jesus did not die so you could do what ever you want without any consequences. EXERCISING FAITH means developing the "Christian personality" and developing the "Fruitage of the spirit," along with "Proving faithful" while under trial, thus redeeming yourself from your sinful nature.