“Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1); “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”
*Suffering Because of Sin
Initially, suffering was introduced into the world and humankind through the disobedient choice and action of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as recorded in the third chapter of Genesis. All pain, sickness, disease, growing old, and death to every human is a direct result of the imputed sin nature, (Romans 5:12). Eventually, we will all suffer in some way and we have no choice in this matter. This even affected our planet according to the context of (Romans 8:18-22). The planet didn’t even have weeds and thorns until the disobedient sin of Adam, (Genesis 3:17-19). All the hurricanes, earthquakes, and other catastrophic events are a result of this curse of sin. The only hope for mankind and the planet is God’s redemption. Through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for sin, man can become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and one day receive a new glorified body that will never be touched by any of these devastating causes of sin (1Corinthians 15:50-57; Revelation 21:4). The planet awaits its renewal when Jesus Christ returns and creates a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1)!
*Suffering Because of Doing Wrong
If we are honest with ourselves, most of our suffering and problems arise from the choices that we make. The Bible says that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7)! If we do the crime, we must do the time! Sometimes, it may simply be that we have not taken care of our bodies properly. Other times, it may be that we have made bad choices and now suffer the consequences of our actions. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners! This is why we need a relationship with Jesus Christ and be born again through faith in Him! You cannot change until you have first been changed! Trust Jesus! Believe the Bible! Obey God and His Bible!
*Suffering Because of Living Righteous
Sometimes we suffer because we choose to live for the Lord Jesus and for doing right! Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake’ (Matthew 5:10-11). Then we read, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh, for this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps…who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;” (1 Peter 2:18-21).
Some thoughts to ponder,
Robert D. Finley, Ph.D.
November 2020