But, we say there are different categories of suffering—some of them are because we are faithful followers of Christ, some the woes and misfortunes common to our human race, but many are the direct result of our own sin. We reap what we sow. Must we not simply grin and bear the sufferings in the last category? Can we expect God to waive punishment which we richly deserve? We must remember first of all that He took it all—all the punishment for all the sin of all the world. He paid the full price. He, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world suffered for us then and suffers with us now, regardless of the source of our trouble. If we suffer, He suffers. We must also remember that actions have consequences to which, as long as we live on this earth, we cannot be immune. All punishment, all discipline from God is from a loving Father whose sole object is to make us like Himself—holy. So let us receive it humbly, trusting in His love—a far cry from mere grinning and bearing. Of course we do not always know, while in the middle of it, to which category our suffering belongs. Often it is a mixture, but the cross remains our refuge nonetheless.”
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 04:41:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015