SUFFERING AS YOUR ACT OF WORSHIP
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S
All Christians suffer. Either you have, you are, or you will — “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)
Suffering has many faces. The Bible doesn’t whitewash our experience of suffering by saying that it’s all of one stripe. Rather, it recognizes the multifaceted ways that suffering can come upon us. The apostle Paul wrote, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).\
In these two verses, Paul lists several types of suffering — mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Each of these are different ways that we can suffer, and when suffering comes, often several of these types of suffering are involved.
SOURCE
Suffering has many faces. The Bible doesn’t whitewash our experience of suffering by saying that it’s all of one stripe. Rather, it recognizes the multifaceted ways that suffering can come upon us. The apostle Paul wrote, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).\
In these two verses, Paul lists several types of suffering — mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Each of these are different ways that we can suffer, and when suffering comes, often several of these types of suffering are involved.
SOURCE
1Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1 Peter 3
13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
Romans 12
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
IMO, such a sacrifice requires suffering.
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
IMO, such a sacrifice requires suffering.
I agree.
Paul says - happy is he who doesn't condemn himself in what he believes. Let him have their own faith before God so people are allowed to have a different opinion on subjects such as healing.
Jesus is perfect theology:
Jesus is the exact representation of the nature of the Father. Jesus said no one knows my Father but the Son and He has come to reveal Him to men. Jesus came to do the will of the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is the exact representation of the nature of the Father as well as the will of the Father.
If we want to see what the Father's will is concerning a subject - see what Jesus did while He was on this earth.
If we want to see how the Father views sinners - look to see how Jesus interacted with them. ( both the prostitutes and the religious Pharisees )
If we want to see if it's God's will to heal people in their physical bodies - look to Jesus while He was here on this earth. He healed "all" that came to Him. He does not change.
If we want to see what the Father's discipline looks like - watch Jesus discipline the disciples - He did it with His words.
Jesus and the Father are One in their nature, purpose and love.
There is not one time - NOT one time where some one who came to Jesus for healing - that was not healed. He healed all that came to Him. There are many scriptures that attest to this fact.
No where do we find anywhere in Jesus' life where do we see any of these things being said by Jesus to anyone;
1) I can't heal you because God is trying to teach you something.
2) I can't heal you because you have sin in your life.
3) I can't heal you because you have not forgiven your mother-in-law. ( or anyone )
4) I can't heal you because you have not been eating and exercising properly. ( They were all on the Mediterranean Diet too...
)
5) I can't heal you because God wants you to suffer with this sickness so that you will learn to trust in Him.
None of these things ever occurred although we have been taught by some of our church teachings that they are true. There is no evidence in the life of Jesus - in fact - the evidence is the complete opposite of what we have been taught in some circles.
Everyone is free to have the faith that they have before God. I won't insult or de-mean nor try to "lord it over their faith" if they choose to believe something else.
I will not call them a "cult" because of their unbelief in God's word on the subject that is different from others nor will I say that they are now "in heresy". I expect others to act with the same respect towards others as well.
God bless you.
We have a good, good Father and a great salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe we haven't even scratched the surface of understanding what Christ has done for us on the cross and resurrection and that we too have died with Him and are raised to newness of life.
One day we will get incorruptible bodies where we will not be attacked. Thank you Jesus!
Paul says - happy is he who doesn't condemn himself in what he believes. Let him have their own faith before God so people are allowed to have a different opinion on subjects such as healing.
Jesus is perfect theology:
Jesus is the exact representation of the nature of the Father. Jesus said no one knows my Father but the Son and He has come to reveal Him to men. Jesus came to do the will of the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is the exact representation of the nature of the Father as well as the will of the Father.
If we want to see what the Father's will is concerning a subject - see what Jesus did while He was on this earth.
If we want to see how the Father views sinners - look to see how Jesus interacted with them. ( both the prostitutes and the religious Pharisees )
If we want to see if it's God's will to heal people in their physical bodies - look to Jesus while He was here on this earth. He healed "all" that came to Him. He does not change.
If we want to see what the Father's discipline looks like - watch Jesus discipline the disciples - He did it with His words.
Jesus and the Father are One in their nature, purpose and love.
There is not one time - NOT one time where some one who came to Jesus for healing - that was not healed. He healed all that came to Him. There are many scriptures that attest to this fact.
No where do we find anywhere in Jesus' life where do we see any of these things being said by Jesus to anyone;
1) I can't heal you because God is trying to teach you something.
2) I can't heal you because you have sin in your life.
3) I can't heal you because you have not forgiven your mother-in-law. ( or anyone )
4) I can't heal you because you have not been eating and exercising properly. ( They were all on the Mediterranean Diet too...
)5) I can't heal you because God wants you to suffer with this sickness so that you will learn to trust in Him.
None of these things ever occurred although we have been taught by some of our church teachings that they are true. There is no evidence in the life of Jesus - in fact - the evidence is the complete opposite of what we have been taught in some circles.
Everyone is free to have the faith that they have before God. I won't insult or de-mean nor try to "lord it over their faith" if they choose to believe something else.
I will not call them a "cult" because of their unbelief in God's word on the subject that is different from others nor will I say that they are now "in heresy". I expect others to act with the same respect towards others as well.
God bless you.
We have a good, good Father and a great salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe we haven't even scratched the surface of understanding what Christ has done for us on the cross and resurrection and that we too have died with Him and are raised to newness of life.
One day we will get incorruptible bodies where we will not be attacked. Thank you Jesus!
S
it is beyond absurd, that you can post STRAIGHT FROM THE BIBLE, the inspired word of God, and folks come along and basically tell you that you are religious
and this while they say we can all believe whatever we want
the double mindedness is beyond belief
when I say 'you' I mean generic you. it seems anyone posting a scripture with actual regards to the op, is anti-gospel and full of malice and is being deceitful
anything else? did I leave something out? I really wish God would have just left out all those inconvenient scriptures that contradict wof/nar and the gospel of ask for whatever you want and God will give it to you
maybe the ot prophets should have prophesied prosperity and kingdom now
so confusing?
and this while they say we can all believe whatever we want
the double mindedness is beyond belief
when I say 'you' I mean generic you. it seems anyone posting a scripture with actual regards to the op, is anti-gospel and full of malice and is being deceitful
anything else? did I leave something out? I really wish God would have just left out all those inconvenient scriptures that contradict wof/nar and the gospel of ask for whatever you want and God will give it to you
maybe the ot prophets should have prophesied prosperity and kingdom now
so confusing?
What does that mean?
How many interpretations could we get from a statement like this?
Statements that are wide to interpretation should never be used.
True teaching should be precise & plain, giving no room for private interpretation.
I could say Jesus is perfect gospel, & it still doesn't tell me what perfect gospel is. I've basically said nothing.
How many interpretations could we get from a statement like this?
Statements that are wide to interpretation should never be used.
True teaching should be precise & plain, giving no room for private interpretation.
I could say Jesus is perfect gospel, & it still doesn't tell me what perfect gospel is. I've basically said nothing.
S
it's nonsense
even if it were true? we would still not know because no one knows all there is
just another example of 'theology in a nutshell according to about 1,000,000 videos by different teachers' and whatever cd is flavor of the month put out by bethel institute for spiritual experimentation and power washing by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of bill
even if it were true? we would still not know because no one knows all there is
just another example of 'theology in a nutshell according to about 1,000,000 videos by different teachers' and whatever cd is flavor of the month put out by bethel institute for spiritual experimentation and power washing by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of bill