Tag: suffering

AFFLICTION

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The idea of affliction brings unpleasant thoughts to most of our minds, and even troubles the average human’s emotion.  Nonetheless, this word is used abundantly throughout the Bible (both OT & NT), to describe plagues, tribulation, trouble, disease, grief, delusion, distress, misfortune, suffering, remorse, punishment, humiliation, ill-treatment, disaster, misery and even many forms of hardship. Have you ever wondered why this word appears so many times in the scriptures?  Perhaps it’s the reality of human existence.  Is there life without some form of affliction? 

While there are plenty individuals in our world promoting such an idea, whether through the consumption or application of some magic potion (some of you remember #9); the use of the “perfect” and/or superior (better than all the rest) diet, exercise routine or equipment; the application of certain principles from the latest self-help, humanistic, or pagan/mystical literature; or through the prayers/lying-on-of-hands/anointing of the “right” so called “Christian” spiritual leader/pastor/evangelist, the simple fact is all humanity is afflicted!  We’re afflicted, 1st with sin and death, and 2nd with suffering/pain, misfortune, and all the definitions of affliction listed above.

In the OT, afflictions are both individual (sickness, poverty, oppression … sometimes at the hands of the rich or powerful, perverted justice, etc.) and national (war, invasions, catastrophe, conquest by foreign peoples, exile, etc.)  In the NT, much attention is given to personal suffering and fierce antagonism manifested against those following Jesus Christ, ultimately resulting in their persecution.  In every situation, from both the OT and NT, the sources of affliction, as well as the meaning and purpose of affliction, must be given careful consideration and approached with the highest level of biblical/spiritual discernment. 

As an example, physical and mental maladies in the time of Christ were considered either the work of evil spirits/demons/Beelzebub/Satan or a direct result of someone’s individual sin. (see Mark 1:23; 3:22; 5:2; Matthew 9:32)  However, while Christ certainly gives some credence to this concept based upon His ministry in several distinct occasions, He also clearly rebukes this as an absolute certainty when dealing with the one born blind in John 9.

And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.                      

 — John 9:2-3

There is also a much overlooked event that occurs with the Apostle Paul in Acts 28.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.  When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”  However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.                            

  — Acts 28:3-6

How interesting the presumptions and confused misjudgments of humanity … obviously lacking spiritual understanding and discernment, adopting some human philosophy that fails to align itself with Christ’s teachings (Truth) or the revelation we have in His Word! I’ve actually heard people say Paul didn’t have enough faith to rid himself of his “thorn in the flesh.”  How can true believers ignore God’s Truth and buy in to such humanistic, mystical, pagan, narcissistic mind-science?  No matter what mankind says, some spiritual leader says, or you say, God irrefutably declares: 

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me – to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.               

— II Corinthians 12:7-10

Why was the messenger of Satan sent?  What was Paul’s resolution?  How can this response be anything other than from a man who lives by faith in the Son of God (Jesus Christ) who loves Paul and gave His life for him!  When will the faithful come to understand that we are not exempt creatures, we do not live life in some utopian Christian bubble without affliction? (See Psalm 34:19) Nonetheless, indisputably, no matter the affliction, we have permanent companionship through every difficulty/struggle! (See Hebrews 13:5-6, I Peter 1:3-9, I Corinthians 10:13)  Believers can absolutely know and discern the source and purpose of their affliction(s), and will undoubtedly, according to the scriptures, have grace and strength from above to endure and/or escape!   You may recall the words of Christ upon learning about His close friend’s death in John 11:4:

This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.  

That’s not Jesus speaking false hope, formulated faith, or trying to spin the facts to make everyone feel better.  No, that’s spiritual discernment, knowing the source and purpose of the event/affliction.  Is Romans 8:28 God’s Word/Truth or not?  Is He provident and sovereign over all/everything? (See Psalm 139)

Recently, on several occasions, I’ve heard people question why there are so many individuals suffering at WOF.  First of all, there is no evidence of such an increase.  Second, we are humans who openly suffer affliction (there’s more about Paul’s suffering in the NT than his blessings).  Conversely, asking this question provides great revelation.  One either fails to understand the truth of, and even the need for affliction among believers, or one has erroneously embraced some non-biblical, man-made, pagan philosophy concerning suffering/affliction, and attempted to robe those destructive concepts in the framework of orthodox Christianity.  GOD forbid!  That’s about as heretical as declaring Jesus a failure (which I’ve heard) because He was unable to bring in the Kingdom (His earthly mission) and died trying!  Totally absurd, according to JC — John 17:4.  

Here’s my prayer/desire for all of us at WOF, especially as Easter 2012 quickly approaches.  Please begin focusing on someone else’s afflictions — that of Jesus Christ, which will absolutely broaden/transform one’s perspective on this whole subject.  May we all consider Him as our mentor and completely incorporate His life as our model …

Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross” … “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (from Hebrews 12:2-3)

Always remember, Truth — understood and applied sets us (true and faithful believers/disciples) absolutely free from all this profane, deviating, dissenting nonsense.                     

— Pastor Frank    

SUFFERING

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, suffering is defined as undergoing something painful or unpleasant, to endure, bear affliction, to allow, permit or tolerate pain, harm, injury, or loss. A great variety of Greek expressions, too large to be enumerated here, have been translated in our Bibles as “suffer(s),”and/or “suffering(s).” However all forms seem to be derived from the same root verb, “pascho” (Greek N.T. Strongs #3958).

In Mark 5:26, we find suffering associated with illness or disease when a woman who “had suffered (or endured) much (many things) at the hands of many physicians,” and “had spent all that she had,” not receiving any help at all, but “rather had grown worse.” Moses, in Hebrews 11:25, chooses to endure ill-treatment (suffering and affliction) with the people of God, rather than “enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” This potentially represents several types of suffering, from mental and emotional to persecutions related to his position and opportunities in life, as well as that of physical need. In II Timothy 2:9, Paul, speaking about his own life and ministry, declares that for the Gospel of Jesus Christ he suffers “hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”

The Psalmist, David uses the first one-third of the 22nd Psalm (which includes graphic descriptions of suffering and exactly coincides with the sufferings of Jesus Christ) as a lamenting and disconsolate cry of anguish from his persecution by King Saul. Amazingly, his words progress to a trustful cry for help, and then end in vows of thanksgiving which spring from his deliverance (like Christ’s victorious resurrection). No other Psalm demonstrates such an accumulation of excruciating outward and inward suffering which is shown pressing in upon God’s servant who is perfectly innocent. What an illustration of Christ’s agonizing situation – the Crucified One is presented before our eyes in verses 15 through 18: The spreading out of the limbs, the naked body, the torturing pain in both hands and feet, and the burning thirst which our Redeemer suffered in order that the Scripture(s) might be fulfilled. Then He announces in a cry, “dipsoo’ “(Greek – NT word #1372 from John 19:28), “I thirst!”

Consider Christ’s sufferings, both emotional and physical. He suffered in almost every aspect of human life: one of His closest companions denied even knowing Him; other close friends couldn’t manage to stay awake, watch, and pray in a time of His deepest need; His own nation (people) rejected Him; His siblings and other family members considered Him crazy; most of the religious leaders in the community despised Him and spoke openly against Him, conspiring to destroy both His life and His message; a member of His own inner circle (discipleship group) continually stole from His ministry and ultimately betrayed Him; in total innocence, He was charged and found guilty of crimes against both God and the state; He was publicly displayed and crucified as a wretched, heinous criminal, and in His final hour, His Father turned His back. Truly He was a man of many sorrows and much suffering. Yet all to please His Dad and bless humanity as no other could achieve!

How can one refuse the ministry and gift of such a faithful suffering servant? How shall we respond to this Servant when asked to bear a little pain because we identify with His name, or endure suffering for His cause of truth and life?

Just think about it! Hope to see ya Sunday, Pastor Frank