Assurance in Suffering: part one
Suffering: A Basic Reality

God's Word communicates a basic reality in the Christian life called suffering. In fact, the Word of God actually teaches us that suffering is a divine calling for all Christians. This means that God has purposed for His people to experience hardships, tribulations, and trials as a vital distinguishing characteristic of their lives in this world. For example, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of suffering as an inevitable part of the Christian life, and even pronounced judgment upon us if there was no such suffering - particularly in the form of persecution. Consider Matthew 5:10-12 and Luke 6:26 in this regard:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you...[But] woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."

On another occasion Jesus promised suffering (again) in the form of persecution when He first commissioned His original disciples to be sent out into the world. In Matthew 10:16-25, Christ gave these solemn words about impending suffering:

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles...A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household."

On the night before Jesus was to be crucified, as He shared His last supper with His disciples, He gave them many instructions to prepare them for their life following His resurrection and ascension. He was priming them for their ultimate mission in the world as His witnesses. Among these instructions, Christ reminded His disciples of what will be the ear-mark of their lives as His followers in the world: it would be suffering. In John 15:18-20, Jesus said:

"If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."

Finally, on this same occasion, Jesus gave His disciples a solemn promise (John 16:33) which is meant for all believers in every age: "In the world you will have tribulation...but take heart; I have overcome the world."

So then, according to the words of our Lord, we can expect tribulation, persecution, being hated by the world, and slandered for the sake of Christ - all of which is a part of the most basic reality in the Christian life. No promises here then for health and wealth, but rather suffering for Christ's sake by the very design of God.

Now as we read further in the New Testament, this promise for tribulation, trial, suffering, and hardship continue by both example and teaching. For instance, in Acts 3-5, we see the early church suffering at the hands of the Jewish leaders for the sake of Christ. In Acts 6-7, we see Stephen being persecuted and then killed for his faithful witness to the glory of Christ. In Acts 9:16, Jesus speaks of His calling Paul to serve Him as an apostle; and as a part of that calling, Christ says: "For I will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

And we might ask the question: how much did Paul suffer for the name of Christ? In II Corinthians 11:24-28, Paul himself gives a catalog of his sufferings for the sake of Christ, an index that simply leaves one speechless:

"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from the Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night; in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my care for all the churches."

Needless to say, both Paul and the rest of the early church experienced great suffering in various forms by God's purpose to glorify Christ. But not only do we see New Testament examples of this kind of suffering, but there is also teaching on how we must suffer as Christians. In Acts 14:22, we're told that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." In II Timothy 3:12, we're promised: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted." In James 1:2, we're exhorted to "count it all joy...when you meet trials of various kinds." In I Peter 2:20-21, we read: "But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is precious in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." And again in I Peter - this time in 4:12-19, we're encouraged:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed...Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

Now the great overarching point of all these passages is that the Christian life is a life of suffering. Suffering "according to God's will" (I Pet.4:19) "for the name of Christ" (I Pet.4:14). Moreover, it is suffering (as already mentioned) which comes to us in different forms. In fact, Paul gives a digest of Christian suffering in II Corinthians 12:10, out of his own personal experience - which every Christian will be afflicted with to a greater or lesser degree. Paul refers to "weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities." Such terms describe what can be rightly called "the normal Christian life."