LEARNING OBEDIENCE THROUGH SUFFERING

            As firstfruit believers, first-century saints took part in redemptive suffering.  They suffered considerably in securing redemp-tion for the full Body of Christ.  cf. Rom.8:23 & 11:16; 1Cor.15:20;  Heb.12:23; Js.1:18; Rev.14:4 and especially Col.1:24 & 1Pet.4:13.  While our sufferings today may not have the same eschatological significance in the establishment of the new and living way as that of the early saints, they remain important nonetheless.  There is redemptive value in the sufferings we sometimes experience.  In her book, Blessings, Mary Craig writes, “It is in sorrow that we discover the things that really matter”.   Furthermore, it is in our deal-ings with life’s turbulent storms that we learn to walk in the steps of Jesus (1Pet.2:21).  i.e., to walk by faith, not by sight (2Cor.5:7).   

            While some may yearn for a life without troubles, it is these difficulties that shape us and mold us.  How pleased our Father must be to see us transform the school of hardknocks into a temple of joy.  In truth, THIS IS GOD’S WAY.  Suffering is the vital path-way to holiness.  Several hundred years before the incarnation of Christ, Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be a man of sorrows and acquainted with much grief (Isa.53:3).  In fact, God the Father intentionally planned for such.  It was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings (Heb.2:10).  In case we miss the import of this statement, Paul reiterates this truth in Heb.5:8 saying, Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things which He suffered.  While Jesus was never disobedient, His suffering provided a testing-ground in which His obedience became full-grown.  If the way of suffering was the path God charted for Jesus to travel in learning obedience, why would venture to think that our lives should be any different?  As we continue maturing in Christ Jesus, let us cultivate that dis-position and mindset extolled by James:  CONSIDER IT ALL JOY, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials… (Js.1:2).

                                                    Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ