The flesh whether in Christ or outside of Christ will suffer tribulation in this world, for the nature of human activity is trials and sufferings. But we Christians should not suffer because we are doing evil: you should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. All flesh is finite, exposed to the python of death encircling our lives. Our strength and health diminishes as we go through life. But believers know we are not traveling alone—the Holy Spirit is our constant companion. Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, we have inner power to face every situation victoriously. We are new creatures, gifts to God, but not perfect gifts wrapped in pretty boxes with colorful ribbons adorning them, ready to be delivered to God. No, Paul discussed the reality of where we are in the flesh when he says, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-21) If we suffer, we do not merely lie in that gift box, waiting to be delivered. We are battling the flesh and the devil every step of our lives. This is the will of God: So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Faith is required to navigate this world of the senses, faith that there is a God who loves and cares for people. If this world is difficult for us Christians to navigate while suffering the vicissitudes of life, how much more difficult it is for unbelievers to do good as they experience this world and its suffering. If Christians have trouble obeying the gospel of God as they experience troubles in this world, those who lack the Spirit of God find it nearly impossible to please the nature of God while suffering the pain of living. We Christians will someday realize our full salvation, our full release from the trials of this world, but not now in this earthly realm. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:6-9)
We do have trials in this world, some caused by our sins and waywardness from God. Others are caused by simple misfortunes in our lives, mistakes, not sinfulness or waywardness. Other trials and difficulties in our circumstances are allowed by God to strengthen our faith, testing us, teaching us to be stronger, more resilient. Many times we suffer from the misdeeds of cruel or uncaring people. Other adverse experiences are God directed to reveal his nature to us, his love. We in this world of disobedient humans are to learn of God’s love towards all people. We sometimes face unwanted events such as unrelenting sicknesses or the untimely deaths of loved ones or close acquaintances. We would wish these adverse experiences to be someone else’s journey, not ours. We would pray for them, help them cope with these difficulties or trials, telling them of God’s love. But we desire for these kinds of experiences to be far from our homes, our lives, our existence. Nonetheless, God allows them to touch us, our families and friends. He even plans for us to work out our salvation by attacking these situations with his love and goodness. He matures us through these difficulties, teaching us about his love and the necessity to love others as He loves us. Jesus looked over the city saying, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Matthew 23:37) He sensitizes us to the needs of the world, their sorrow as they face sicknesses and death. We become lovers of those who are weak and helpless, for we too know what it means to be weak and helpless. God allows suffering in Christians to develop the nature of Christ in us, for Jesus suffered for the world. He carried every sickness to the cross, every death to the cross. He paid completely the price of being in the flesh, of being finite. IN HIM, THE RESURRECTED ONE, life becomes new and eternal. For whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Peter tells Christians that he understands their lives are not easy, but the solution lies in complete submission to God. If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Yes, believers often find it hard to serve the Lord through the trials and suffering of this world. Where is the joy, when the tears flow down your face? But, we will commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good regardless of our situation in the natural. We know from God’s word that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) We know the gift in the box is constantly in flux, changing daily for the good of the Lord. When we are finally revealed to all of creation, here on Earth and in heaven, we will be glorious, beautiful beyond description. We will be more delicate than the finest china, more intricate than the most elaborately woven fabric. We will be as God our Father. He will pick us up tenderly and place us above his head so all can see the fine work He has done in us. Once we were worthless, worthy only for destruction; now we are precious, functioning openly in the household of God. A tag, a name written by the blood of Jesus is on our holy clothing, clothing fit for the wedding feast. We have been clothed by the Most High. God paid a price for us, a heavy price: his ONLY BEGOTTEN, JESUS CHRIST, risked everything for us. Yes, trials do happen to us, suffering does break us down into tears, death causes us to wonder sometimes, but God has paved the way for us to know him. We entered into his domain of love when we accepted Jesus as our Lord. Trials, struggles, sorrows, nothing, will prevent us from continuing as his instruments of love when our lives are founded on Jesus’ grace, mercy, and love. Paul prayed for the Ephesians that they may know God in a greater way. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 4:16-19) May we know as we read in Romans 8 that nothing in all creation will separate us from the love of God which is in Christ.
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