In the journey of faith, Christians are called to embrace suffering not merely as a means to an end, but as a transformative process intricately linked to the character of God. Unlike worldly suffering, Christian suffering is not about seeking rewards or pursuing a cause; it’s a deliberate choice to be molded into the likeness of a God who revealed Himself most profoundly in the act of suffering on the cross.
The Unveiling of God through Suffering
The core identity of God was laid bare on the cross, where He was not just momentarily exposed but revealed as a suffering God for all eternity. This vulnerability is not a one-time event but a continuous aspect of His nature. Embracing suffering is, therefore, an invitation to become more like God, participating in His ongoing act of self-sacrifice for the sake of creation.
The suffering endured is not a pursuit of rewards; it’s a commitment to the challenging process of being transformed into the image of the Divine Slain Lamb. This perspective sets Christian suffering apart – it’s not an isolated event but an ongoing journey towards godliness.
The Purpose of Christian Suffering: Transformation and Joy
Paul, in Philippians 1:29, describes suffering as a gift granted for the sake of Christ. This divine perspective challenges the conventional understanding of suffering, urging believers to not merely endure but actively embrace the suffering that aligns them with the suffering Christ. The end goal of this suffering is not mere endurance but a profound transformation leading to joy.
Jesus, too, embraced suffering not for the suffering itself but for the joy of having a people who reflect His image. Similarly, Christians embrace suffering to become a people like Him, recognizing that the path of suffering leads to a shared glory and likeness to the suffering God.
Divine Suffering: Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings
When Jesus chose to share in human sufferings, a profound mystery unfolded – the sufferings of humanity became inseparable from the sufferings of God. 2 Corinthians 1:5 emphasizes that as believers share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, they also share abundantly in comfort through Him. Suffering, then, is not merely personal; it’s an experiential identification with God’s suffering, a unique shaping into the likeness of God.
Isaiah 63:9 reinforces this concept, stating that in all affliction, God was afflicted. It’s a concept reiterated in Hebrews 2:10, affirming that the founder of salvation, Jesus, was made perfect through suffering. Christian suffering is not detached but intimately connected to the suffering of Christ, a shared experience that molds believers into the likeness of God.
Surviving Betrayal: A Painful Yet Transformative Journey
Betrayal, a painful facet of human experience, is not foreign to Christian suffering. Jesus Himself chose to be handed over for suffering, experiencing the profound sting of betrayal. Acknowledging this painful reality, believers are called to face betrayal with courage, recognizing it as an integral part of God’s divine purpose.
Betrayal is not just an act by an enemy; it’s a painful act by one considered a friend. God’s orchestration of betrayal in the narrative of Jesus’ suffering is a poignant reminder that betrayal might also play a role in the end-time church’s challenges. Facing betrayal requires a mature understanding that if it happened to Jesus, it will happen to His followers.
Accusation, the foundation of betrayal, is central to the enemy’s schemes, portraying Satan as the “accuser of the brethren” in Revelation 12. Betrayal, a significant end-time test, prompts the question: Are believers prepared to endure betrayal with a clean heart, trusting God’s wise leadership even when pain seems overwhelming?
Accusation and Betrayal: Rejecting Satan’s Narrative
Accusation, as seen in Satan’s role as the accuser of the brethren, is a powerful force intertwined with betrayal. Satan accuses believers in the heavens, yet God rejects these accusations, qualifying His people despite their imperfections.
Zechariah 3 narrates how God rebukes Satan, asserting His choice of Jerusalem and rescuing His people from accusations. The mature church is called to emulate this by resolving accusations against one another and releasing all accusations against God. This resistance to accusation, coupled with a willingness to drink the cup God puts forth, is a rejection of the primal sin seen in the garden.
Revelation 12 foretells Satan’s dislodgment from his place of accusation, a potential outcome when the end-time church chooses to drink the cup and reject every accusation against God. Believers are urged to actively resist accusations against one another and accusations against God Himself, aligning with Jesus’ example of rejecting Satan’s narrative in the face of suffering.
God’s Patient Process: Enduring for Transformation
Accusation, betrayal, and suffering are weighty subjects, yet believers are reassured of God’s patience. The journey of maturation is a process, and as individuals cooperate with God, He molds them over time. The high demands of God are met with His incredible patience, demonstrated throughout biblical narratives.
Even Jesus, in His humanity, looked at the cup of suffering and questioned if there was another way. God understands the struggle, confronts sin, and disciplines out of intense love. Believers are encouraged not to give up but to endure accusations, betrayal, and suffering, confident in God’s goodness regardless of the path.
As Christians mature in their faith, they come to a place of saying, “Not my will but Your will be done.” This maturity dismantles Satan’s influence, rejecting accusations and actively embracing God’s process. While the specifics of God’s process may differ for each individual, the willingness to drink the cup He puts forth remains a core aspect of Christian suffering.
Conclusion: Embracing the Divine Journey of Suffering
In conclusion, Christian suffering is not a passive endurance but an active embrace of transformation. The intertwining of suffering with the character of God, sharing in Christ’s sufferings, facing betrayal with courage, and rejecting accusations against God form the essence of this transformative journey.
Believers are called not to seek suffering but to willingly embrace the cup God presents, trusting in His patient process for ultimate transformation and glory. As the end-time church faces challenges akin to those experienced by Jesus, the call to endure betrayal with a clean heart becomes paramount. In all this, the resounding theme is an active participation in the divine journey of suffering for the sake of becoming more like the suffering God.