PAIN AND SUFFERING

“The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” Psalm 84:11

What an awesome promise to claim and hold on to! I am encouraged to know that God will provide me with all the good He believes will benefit me! Of course, like some other promises, there is an attached condition. The condition is that my Christian walk be blameless. This condition does not mean I have to be sinless, but it does mean that I have to hate sin, and make a conscious effort to not be overcome by it. I need to not take advantage of God’s goodness.  

I have met people living in sin unashamedly; because they claim God will forgive them. I’ve had to remind them of the question the Bible puts to Christians, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer (Romans 6:1-2 NIV84)? Our attitude towards sin is indicative of our respect or disrespect for God, and how serious we are about our faith. The Bible states, “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him” (1 John 3:6 NIV84). Our disdain for sin should convince people that we know and fear God. We can’t claim a relationship with God and be comfortably living in sin at the same time. Claims are not enough; our way of life speaks louder than our claims. Blamelessness also means walking in obedience to God’s Word; and that is when we can confidently claim this promise.   

God doesn’t withhold good from us, but He also doesn’t withhold painful experiences from us. Painful experiences include but not limited to, loss, suffering, poor health, financial difficulties, persecutions, and the like, and are good for building our character. Through suffering, we learn to carefully examine our lives to make sure we do not have any un-confessed sins; we learn to trust God, and also look at life from His perspective. The Scripture says God made Jesus perfect through suffering (see Hebrew 2:10), and Jesus, though the Son of God, learned obedience from what He suffered (see Hebrews 5:8). If sinless Jesus was made perfect through suffering, then we mega sinners need to embrace suffering with the understanding that suffering is for our good, and that it identifies us as members of God’s family, with Jesus as our Brother (see Hebrews 2:11). Addressing the issue of suffering, Paul and Barnabas, encouraged their new converts in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to remain faithful to the faith by saying, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22 NIV84).

The Psalmist is a good example of how to appreciate pain; he said to God, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever” (Psalm 30:11-12 NIV84).  So through his experience, the Psalmist learned to praise God and testify about His goodness and sustaining power in times of distress. Therefore, if God allows a painful experience, it must be because it is good. Praising God is one of the outcomes of suffering that God desires for us (see Isaiah 57:18-19). Let us therefore endure suffering as children who desire to be transformed into the image of their Father. This calls to mind another Scripture, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV84).

It is essential to remember that in our suffering, God controls the intensity and duration, and also makes a way of escape for us  because He has promised that He will not allow us to go through more than we can bear (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). God does not rejoice in our pain, but rejoices when we bear godly fruit of righteousness and peace. The Scripture says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV84).

God told Jeremiah that His plans for him were for welfare (see Jeremiah 29:11), but Jeremiah’s experiences were not always without problems. His own people plotted to kill him because they did not appreciate his messages (see Jeremiah 11:18-19, 21). Jeremiah was persecuted and jailed by a colleague, Pashhur the priest, for prophesying doom and gloom as instructed by the Lord (see Jeremiah 20:1-2). These experiences do not sound like welfare, but God allowed them, maybe, to test and grow Jeremiah’s faith.

The outcome of enduring pain does not benefit only the person experiencing it; it also benefits the Body of Christ, the Church. The Church is encouraged when it witnesses, first-hand, the power and faithfulness of God in the life of other believers. Having said that, it is also fair to say it is okay to pour out our hearts to God in our pain; Jesus did. On the cross, He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Mark 15:34 NIV84)? However, He did not request legions of angels to come to His defense, although He could have (see Matthew 26:53). Instead, He completed the task the Father had given Him. By so doing, He earned the highest place that heaven affords and a name that is above every name, so that at the mention of His name every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth (see Philippians 2:8-11). Similarly, God has made wonderful promises to those who overcome the difficulties and challenges of life (See Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:12, 21; 21:7).

So in suffering, let us not quit! Let us focus on Christ and the prize ahead. After all, He is gone to prepare a place for us, and before we know it, He will be back to take us to be with Him for all eternity (see John 14:2-3). Even so Lord Jesus, come!  

ARE YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER?

Recently, I received an invitation through the mail to a free seminar on wills and trusts. The title of the seminar—ARE YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER? This seminar, I’m sure, is designed to remind the attendees that life here on earth is going to end some time, so they need to prepare before it does. They’ll need to make their wishes known regarding their funeral arrangements and how to handle their estate. This will ensure their desires are met and there aren’t any regrets on the part of their loved ones. 

Quite frequently, very ill or terminally ill patients have also heard their medical providers admonish them to get their affairs in order: an indication that death could be imminent. The reason for the admonishment is the same—make your wishes known, so someone else doesn’t make decisions against your unspoken wishes. After all, it’s your funeral and your assets; you should have a say in how they’re handled.   

Having said all that, are your affairs in order? I am sure your answer will be one of the following: “yes,” “no,’ or “still working on it.” Please do, and do it quickly, if your answer is ‘no.’ but there is another area of life you need to get in order that is more important than how your funeral or estate is handled.

Is your soul ready for eternity, or are you going to leave that to chance? The Bible makes it clear: “Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT). It might not be a big deal if you can’t decide on your funeral, but it sure will be a big deal if you leave your eternity to chance. The end result of not planning for eternity will be facing God’s judgment, and being condemned to spend eternity in hell with the devil and his demons (see Matthew 25:41).

The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, {separation from God} but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT). As I mentioned earlier regarding your funeral, if you don’t make your wishes known ahead of time, another person (family or friend) will make that decision for you, like it or not. You won’t have the opportunity to make changes; once you miss the window of opportunity, you’ve missed it! Likewise, if you miss the opportunity to make plans to spend eternity with God in heaven, you have automatically and non-verbally decided to go to hell.

To avoid the disappointment of not getting into heaven, you have to make plans now, and have the assurance that after this life, you’ll be with God in heaven and not with the devil in hell. It’s like making a hotel reservation ahead of a planned trip. When you arrive at your destination, you’ll be allowed in, and you’ll have a clean bed waiting for you. You won’t have to worry about being locked out (see Matthew 25:1-12).

Are you wondering how to make plans for heaven? I’ll tell you! You need to admit you’re a sinner, because the Bible says you are (see Romans 3:23), repent of your sins (see Acts 2:38), and ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ who died on the cross in your place and in mine. God will forgive you and put His Holy Spirit in your heart, and make sure your name is in the Book of Life (see Revelations 3:5). When you take this step, God assures you: “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Please get your affairs in order now, because tomorrow could be too late. Call on Jesus today for salvation; you can never be too early!

CHRISTIAN LIVING

The Christian life is a transformed life; we have been moved from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We cannot live this life without help—without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

Christians are adopted children of God. Prior to adoption, we were controlled by the devil.  Each one of us had an earthly nature of sin, evidenced by sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from the lips (see Colossians 3:6,8). Through the finished work of Christ, God rescued us from the devil’s camp. This made us children of the Most High God. He put His Spirit into us to bear witness with our spirit that we really are His children and to teach us how to live godly lives.

As Christians we are called to walk as Jesus walked. That means we turn our backs on sin, give up our former ways of living, and focus on God’s ways. The Bible says that our lives are hid with Christ (see Colossians 3:3) just as we might hide treasures from thieves. It is obvious that, if our lives are hid with Christ, we’ll treasure His ways more than worldly ways.

There are Christians who think believing in Jesus is all they need to do. They think that after they profess their faith, they are free to live any way that pleases them. In truth, believing in Jesus is only the beginning of the journey. Until we see Jesus face to face, we must continually seek to become more and more like Him. The apostle Paul expresses it this way, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 NIV), and John says it this way, “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin” (1 John 5:18 NIV). We need to make a conscious effort to hate sin and to have nothing to do with it.

It is clear from the Scriptures that God’s wrath is coming against those who live in sin (see Colossians 3:6). Let us, therefore, keep ourselves clean. Our salvation cost Him a price we cannot imagine. The least we can do is live to please and honor Him, so let’s obey the Scriptures, working out our salvation with genuine fear and trembling!

CLAIM GOD’S PROMISES WITH CARE

A promise is the assurance that one will act as specified. The Bible is filled with promises to encourage us in our walk as Christians, and these promises cover every area of life. There are conditions surrounding some of the promises, so before we claim one, we need to read and re-read to make sure we understand the promise and its requirements, if any.

There are many promises that start with ‘If.’ For example, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land”(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV). If we don’t follow what He commands, He will not fulfill the promises. 

By claiming promises erroneously, we are putting words in God’s mouth; we are holding Him accountable for something He has not promised us. The result then becomes disappointment, and thinking God has not honored His Word. Clearly, He is not going to do something he has not promised just because someone is claiming it. The promises He fulfills are the ones He’s spelled out and where the conditions, if any, have been met by the claimer.

For example, look at this promise: “I will be with you always.” What does it mean?  First, I’ll tell you what it does not mean. It doesn’t mean everything will go well, or that there will be no problems. It does however mean He will be with you no matter what is going on. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you… The flames won’t set you ablaze” (Isaiah 42:2 NIV). This promise clearly implies problems, with the certainty of God’s presence. So don’t claim promises He hasn’t made.

Also, when you go to God with a request, make sure you call your need by name, because calling it by any other name could make it difficult for you to see the answers. For example, if you ask God for a car, what you are really asking for is the ability to be able to get around. If He responds by providing you with somebody to give you a ride, or if He puts you on a bus route, would you consider that an answer to your prayer? Probably not! Because what you really wanted was a car with the title in your name. So if you need transportation, ask for transportation, and if God decides you need a car in your name, He will provide you with one. 

The other promise we love to claim is, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24 NIV). What does this promise mean? Does it mean we can ask for anything? I don’t think so. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” Then He concluded by saying, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 NIV). This prayer is an indication that we need to take God’s will into account. If what we request is against God’s will, we can forget it. So we need to find God’s will about issues before asking, because He will not grant anything contrary to His will.

Also, God doesn’t always tell us the duration of assignments, so don’t assume your job, relationships, etc. are for a lifetime. He can redirect you as He sees fit, at any time. You could be devastated if you get too comfortable and He redirects you. But always remember redirection is okay, because, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). Let’s not hold on too tightly to our assignments! For example, when Moses was asked to go bring the Israelites from Egypt, he did not have details. I am sure he assumed he was going to get them into the Promised Land, but that is not what happened.

Let’s claim promises with care!