Since Faith is a Gift, is Suffering Also a Gift?

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throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
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#81
Jesus Christ and Him Crucified,” is the Story of the Bible; every Doctrine must be built upon that Foundation, which constitutes the house built upon the Rock; otherwise, it’s a house built upon sand. When God’s Word is held in its Righteous context, referring to the context of Christ and His Redemptive Work at the Cross, the benefits of that Work will be MANIFEST in our lives.

The Word of God comes alive with POWER when every jot and tittle of the Word of God is pointed only to the Cross (the narrow way / the Blood of Jesus) where the victory was won. Lev. 17:11, Heb. 4:12
Why do I feel like your copying and paste?
Saving faith is not a gift? Since when?
post 3#
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
5,938
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#84
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
(Php 1:29)
Going off the general inquiry to answer 'what is a gift,' I thought a 'blessing' would qualify as an adequate synonym here. Well, going from there, I followed a hunch and I happened on the note that 'to suffer (paschein)' is, indeed, akin to 'penthos (to mourn).' And so I conclude that yes, it is a gift given according to the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, (4)"Blessed are those who mourn..."
 

EternalFire

Well-known member
Jan 3, 2019
643
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#85
Something given freely, not earned.
Have you never received a gift?
That's a much better definition, as it fits Scripture.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 6:23).

In terms of your thread, are you able to find a verse that states suffering is a gift like the one I just quoted concerning eternal life?
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,189
113
#86
That's a much better definition, as it fits Scripture.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 6:23).

In terms of your thread, are you able to find a verse that states suffering is a gift like the one I just quoted concerning eternal life?
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
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#87
That's a much better definition, as it fits Scripture.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 6:23).

In terms of your thread, are you able to find a verse that states suffering is a gift like the one I just quoted concerning eternal life?
This is why I opened the thread seeking the insights of others on this verse about suffering...

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
(Php 1:29)
 

EternalFire

Well-known member
Jan 3, 2019
643
341
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#88
This is why I opened the thread seeking the insights of others on this verse about suffering...

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
(Php 1:29)
So have you found any?
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
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#90
If fellowship with Christ can be considered as a gift, then it can be implied in Romans 8:17.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Rom 8:17)

Very true, it's like a package deal. Both are giftwrapped in the same packaging!
 

EternalFire

Well-known member
Jan 3, 2019
643
341
63
#91
If fellowship with Christ can be considered as a gift, then it can be implied in Romans 8:17.
So I take it that you, too, haven't found any Scriptures that state suffering is a gift.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
5,938
1,686
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#92
So I take it that you, too, haven't found any Scriptures that state suffering is a gift.
Not explicitly, no, but then I don't think I've wrongly assumed that image bearers are able to reach logical deductions from true premises, aside from the willfully ignorant of course.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
5,938
1,686
113
#93
post edit*

reach logical conclusions by deductive reasoning^

-still working toward perfection, suffer with me :p
 

EternalFire

Well-known member
Jan 3, 2019
643
341
63
#94
Not explicitly, no, but then I don't think I've wrongly assumed that image bearers are able to reach logical deductions from true premises, aside from the willfully ignorant of course.
I appreciate your honesty. Please let me know if you ever find one.