Why do Christians Suffer?

• Christians suffer because of willful ignorance.
  
  • The first reason God's children suffer is because of our own selfishness and willfull ignorance. We try to blame God when, in reality it is our fault. I Peter 2:20 says, For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But ,if , when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

• Christians suffer when they stand for righteousness
  
  • The second reason God's children suffer is because they take a stand for righteousness and for christ.
    I Peter 3:14 says, But, and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye:

• Christians suffer because of unconfessed sins.
  • The third reason God's children suffer is because of unconfessed sin. If a Christian sins, does he get by with it? No! I Corinthians 11:31-32 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
  • God gives us an opportunity to confess that sin and make it right. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• Christians suffer because of past sins.
  • The forth reason a Christians suffers is because of the sins of the past. The first thought you have is, "When I came to Christ, was not all sin forgiven?" Yes! All sin was forgiven and God does not remember them at all.
    A Christian suffers then because of the results, or the aftereffects of sin. From the moment of Paul's conversion, he suffered because of his persecution of God's people before he was saved.
  • Our past sins are forgiven but that does not remove the effects of past sins. An example: A man who was an alcoholic is saved. He is forgiven and he knows the joy of salvation. But hr still has the stomach and the liver which alcohol ruined. He must live with the aftereffects of past sins. Gradually, he becomes a healthy person, but he has to work at it and take care of himslf. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

• Christians suffer for the glory of God.
  • The fifth reason a Christian suffers is because God ordains the suffering. Take Job for an example. He suffered because satan made an accusation against Job and God.
  • God had a divine plan for Paul. He was to take the message of Christ to the Gentiles and also suffer in the name of the Lord.

• Chistians suffer for their faith.
  • The sixth reason some Christians suffer is because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. James endured martyrdom (Acts 12:2). Peter was imprisoned (Acts 12:4), and later martyred (II Peter 1:14; John 21:18-19).
  • Hebrews 11 records two groups of people;
    1. In Hebrews 11:33-35 there is a group who had, by faith, gained great victories for God.
    2. In Hebrews 11:35-38 there is a group of martyrs.
    How does one explain this paradox? The answer is God's. There are some people whom God permits to suffer; they are ready to glorify Christ as did James, Peter, and Paul. Others do not suffer because God knows they could not take it.

• Christians suffer to learn discipline.
  • The seventh reason a Christian suffers is to learn discipline from the hand of God. This is a glorious suffering because it proves that we belong to Him. The word chasten means child training or discipline.
  • God deals with His own as sons: His children. As a father disciplines only his own children, so it is with God the father.
    
    What are the blessings of suffering as Christians?
    1. The true believer learns that God chastens those he loves (Hebrews 12:5-8).
    2. The Christian learns the blessings of being in subjection to God (Hebrews 12:9).
    3. The believer becomes partaker of his holiness through chastening from God (Hebrews 12:10).
    4. The Christian learns through suffering the peacable friut of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
    5. The Christian learns the blessings of assurance (Hebrews 12:8).
    6. The Christian learns through tribulation to grow up and be productive (Hebrews 12:12-13).
    Job 23:10, When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

    James 4:8, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

    When things get you down PRAY. Just as God allows the suffering, if you fellowship with God he can relieve the suffering.

    

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