Suffering and Death For Those Who Are Forgiven - Part I

If Christ Jesus died for the sins of us His people and suffered the judgment of death and hell in our place, why must we still suffer and die? Have you ever wondered that? I certainly have. Death’s “sting” has been removed (1Cor 15:55-56), but why not death itself? How can we be assured that death’s power is removed for us if we still face the prospect of death? Let’s see if we can deduce the answers by reasoning from the Bible. (In points 1-3 we will address the question of suffering, and in points 4-6, posted later, we will address the question of physical death.)

1. Sinners Need Suffering for Sanctification

As sinners who are still in the flesh we must be continually reminded of our fallen nature and the blackness of our sin. One of the ways that God disciplines His erring children is to bring out the “rod of correction” (cf. Heb 12:5-7). The pain of guilt itself serves as a corrective agent in the life of a believer (cf. Ps 32:4-5), and this guilt can subsequently serve to bring physical suffering (Ps 32:3; 89:7-9).

Physical suffering from illness, disease, and injury may not be direct punishment for any particular sin—as is shown from the story of Job who suffered much physically—but it certainly is a means by which God sanctifies His children. Job spoke of that sanctification through trials (Job 23:10). Paul spoke of the sanctifying work of suffering when he spoke of his “thorn in the flesh” (2Cor 12:7-10). Such thorns teach us to rely more upon the strength of God in our lives.

Yet, the Bible makes clear that sometimes God disciplines His children physically directly because of sin: 1Cor 11:29-32 and James 5:14-16. When necessary God physically judges His own children in order to wake them up to their sin and bring them back to repentance. This is a fearful thing.

2. Our Sufferings Bring Endurance and Unite Us More with Christ

Remarkably suffering can be a great blessing. The Bible indicates this quite clearly in regard to “trials” (e.g. James 1:2-3), and we may apply this to all pain and suffering in general. Trials produce patience, or “cheerful endurance.” No doubt any suffering can accomplish this work of endurance where the grace of God abounds.

But even beyond this, the Apostle Paul recognized that suffering unites us to Christ in a very special way. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things; . . . that I may know Him . . . and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil 3:8, 10). Thus, for Paul, physical trials were a unique way in which he could taste of the unspeakable sufferings of his Savior and know Him better. Make no mistake about it: this suffering is a one-time opportunity to know Christ more fully. In the New Earth there is no more pain or sorrow (Rev 21:4).

Now, enduring physical maladies with joyfulness also provides an opportunity for the greatest witness from humans of God’s infinite value. For, consider that if we endure trials with patience and deep abiding joy it is inexplicable to the unbelieving world. It shows the lost world that Eternal Reward awaits those who hope in God’s mercy. It shows them that a person’s faith is genuine, meaningful, and powerfully sustained by God. It shows them that Jesus Christ is worth it all. God uses afflictions in life to display the glory of God to the world (cf. John 9:1-3).

God is pleased to test our faith, like with Abraham and Isaac. Who could deny that Abraham loved the Lord more than his precious son whom God asked to sacrifice? His son was the only son of his wife, born to him in the waning years of his life, and it was certain he could not have another. The more precious his son the more obviously more precious God would appear in his trial. So, too, the greater the pain or the harder the trial we endure with faithful endurance the more obviously glorious the Lord appears.

(Aside: Why does God not audibly speak or appear to us? Perhaps it is for the same reason of testing our faith.)

3. This Life Provides a Unique Opportunity for Attaining Heavenly Treasure and Spiritual Growth

The Bible teaches that the trials in a believer’s life may build an eternal weight of glory in the hereafter (2Cor 4:17-18). Again, this life is a one-time opportunity for affliction. This is the only time in all of eternity that afflictions may build for us a weight of glory.

Let that sink in, believe it, and consider if you seriously do not want any affliction in life. Do you want to escape the chance to build an eternal weight of glory? It’s interesting how the Bible can show us how our fallen thinking is often completely opposite of the truth.

Sufferings and persecutions allow us to attain heavenly treasure that may not be attainable in eternity. And trials somehow allow us to grow spiritually in a special way. Perhaps this way is because of that unique chance to know Christ. Perhaps endurance through fiery trial is God’s primary means of testing His children and giving them the opportunity to exercise their faith and declare His worth to an unbelieving world. We know that the greatest Treasure is Jesus Himself, so certainly knowing Him to deeper degrees lets us love Him and treasure Him more. It might just be that the degree of suffering we endure in this life forever limits our ability to “vicariously” know Jesus in that particular way.