It is frequently asked, “Why do the good suffer?” First, we must recognize that the Apostle Paul wrote, “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). The term righteous can be understood to mean that no one is right with God or that no one has right standing with God or even that in God’s economy, there is no one who is actually good. Because of the very nature of our sin, everyone deserves punishment and everyone deserves bad things to happen to them. When bad things do not happen, it is not because of our goodness, but because of God’s mercy.
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV
So, we all face trials and difficulties; painful things; things we might call bad, but are they bad or do those trials serve a purpose? Obviously, our space is limited here, but I would like to offer four suggestions about how trials can be helpful.
1. Trials can help to achieve purification of our Christian Life –
2 Corinthians 7:9 - I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. NAS
2. To produce Patience (Literally endurance)
Romans 5:3 - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; WAS
James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. NAS
3. To produce humility
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
4. To produce dependence upon God
2 Corinthians 1:7-10 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.
So you see, God can even use what appears to be evil for our eternal good.
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord , that he might be glorified.. KJV
Friends, let me encourage you to not let the trials you face go to waste, but through patience and prayer seek what good the Lord may be attempting to produce through them.
I love being the pastor of the Journey church! We are a church of truly loving, caring and compassionate people. Why not visit us sometime and enjoy our fellowship?
God bless! Pastor Jim
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV
So, we all face trials and difficulties; painful things; things we might call bad, but are they bad or do those trials serve a purpose? Obviously, our space is limited here, but I would like to offer four suggestions about how trials can be helpful.
1. Trials can help to achieve purification of our Christian Life –
2 Corinthians 7:9 - I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. NAS
2. To produce Patience (Literally endurance)
Romans 5:3 - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; WAS
James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. NAS
3. To produce humility
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
4. To produce dependence upon God
2 Corinthians 1:7-10 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.
So you see, God can even use what appears to be evil for our eternal good.
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord , that he might be glorified.. KJV
Friends, let me encourage you to not let the trials you face go to waste, but through patience and prayer seek what good the Lord may be attempting to produce through them.
I love being the pastor of the Journey church! We are a church of truly loving, caring and compassionate people. Why not visit us sometime and enjoy our fellowship?
God bless! Pastor Jim