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I recently ministered God's Word in a funeral for a 30-year-old young man who passed away after many years of battling brain tumors. In circumstances like this it's understandably easy to wonder "Why?" I would like to address that question. The answer has to do with God's work in the believer, in Christ.
In the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul seeks to assure those who have been justified by faith that their relationship with God is settled and secure in Jesus Christ. When I speak of those who have been justified by faith I mean those who, having heard and understood the truth about ourselves as sinners and the truth about Jesus as the perfect and only savior, have believed that truth, and, acknowledging their need of God's forgiveness, and have embraced Jesus with faith, that is, whole hearted trust, so that they may be acquitted of their sins and declared righteous in Christ by God, the just judge of all the earth. These are those for whom there is "now no condemnation" (Romans 8:1). As Paul explains, there is no condemnation for them because "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:2)
You see, God righteously settled our sin problem by having his sinless Son bear the judgment in our place. Consequently, the life of the one who believes in Jesus is no longer ruled by sin, which brings condemnation resulting in death, most significantly eternal separation from God. Rather, the life of the believer is now empowered and directed by God's Holy Spirit within him or her.
It is the presence of God's Holy Spirit, dwelling within the believer, which secures us in an unbroken relationship with our creator and heavenly Father. Paul explained it with these beautifully endearing words: "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Rom. 8:15-17)
This is where we find the answer to the question "Why?" Notice that suffering with Christ is connected to being an heir with Christ. The inheritance that awaits us is glory with Christ, but that glory is achieved through suffering, just as it was for Jesus. Paul continues by explaining that the suffering we experience in this life pales in comparison to the glory that awaits us (v. 18).
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul described this suffering as "light" and "momentary" in comparison to the "eternal weight of glory" we are inheriting (2 Cor. 4:17). This indicates that the goal of the glory to be obtained is worth the unpleasantness that must be experienced in obtaining it. It's kind of like physical exercise or training. But we are not alone in this. Paul also explains that the Holy Spirit, who dwells within the believer, helps us in our weakness (most likely, our suffering) by interceding for us before the Father, in perfect harmony with his plan (Rom. 8:26-27). It is then, in the explanation of God's plan, where we discover the connection between suffering and glory. This is where we discover that glory is achieved through suffering. In some of the better known verses from this passage, Paul explains, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (8:28-30)
All things, including suffering, are used by God for his good purpose of conforming the believer to the likeness of Jesus, climaxing in glory. Therefore, suffering in this life is not an obstacle to receiving glory, but rather, a step in the process that ends in glory. We find then, that God is more concerned with our character, than our comfort. He is willing and able to use measured, momentary discomfort to shape our character into the likeness of Jesus. So, may I ask, where do you stand in respect to this pursuit of Christ like character? First of all, have you entered into a relationship with your creator by believing in Jesus, embracing him with your whole hearted trust? If not, would you? Secondly, are you responding to your own suffering with confident assurance that God is for you and doing something very good?
Let me conclude with Paul's grand and glorious climax in this passage:
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (8:31-39)
Amen, and Amen!
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Pastor Doug Packard of First Baptist Church, Lock Haven.