WHY GODS CHILDREN SUFFER

[Brother Love]

WHY GODS CHILDREN SUFFER

By Cornelius R. Stam

Contrary to common belief, the Bible does not teach that
all men are the children of God. Our Lord said to the re-
ligious leaders of His day: "Ye are of your father the devil"
(John 8:44), but to the Christian believers at Galatia
St. Paul wrote: "Ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26).

As the children of Adam, it is not strange that we should
have to bear suffering; for sorrow, sickness and death en-
tered the world through sin (Rom. 5:12). But some people
wonder why Gods children, whose greatest desire is to
please Him, should have to suffer along with others.

There are several reasons for this. In the case of Job, God
allowed His servant to suffer to prove to Satan that Job did
not live a godly life for personal gain -- and Job was richly
rewarded later for all he had borne.

Further, Gods people could not be of much spiritual help
to others if they were exempt from the sufferings which
others have to bear. In such a case the unsaved would say:

"Yes, you can talk! You dont know what it is to suffer dis-
appointments, sickness and pain, as we do."

Then too, it must be remembered that even the most
godly saint is not perfect and must at times be disciplined,
"for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth
every son whom He receiveth" (Heb. 12:6). This is done for
our good, to keep us from sin and its consequences.

Finally, suffering and adversity tend to make Gods chil-
dren pray more and lean harder on Him, and herein lies
their spiritual strength and blessing. St. Paul said: "I take
pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then am I
strong" (II Cor. 12:10).

But there is a great twofold advantage which the suf-
fering Christian has over others. First, his sufferings are
only temporary and, second, they earn eternal glory for
him.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Cor. 4:17).

[sincereheart]

Good points!  


Of course, I always wonder why we can accept Christ's sufferings and expect that we should be exempt!    

[Brother Love]

Good points!  


Of course, I always wonder why we can accept Christ's sufferings and expect that we should be exempt!    

Amen


Paul said: "I take pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then am I strong" (II Cor. 12:10).

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[thomasb40]

its because he loves  us and wants us to grow stronger in our walks with him its hard for us to suffer but god see us through
it all.

[Brother Love]

its because he loves  us and wants us to grow stronger in our walks with him its hard for us to suffer but god see us through
it all.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!!!!

<))><