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Christian Chronicles, January 2001 - Volume 4, Issue 62

| The Editor's Pen | Perspectives: Faith Amid the Trials | Mid-East Update |
| Fruit of the Vine | Why Me, God? | Just Deserts | Early Church Persecution |
| Do We Suffer with the Patience of Job? | How did you Die? | What Light Afflictions |
| Suffering for Christ's Sake |

The Editor's Pen

Fire still ravages homes, violent weather continues to destroy families and lives, car crashes still happen, catastrophic illnesses still take our loved ones from us too soon, war and crime are universal, divorces wreak havoc in the lives of both children and adults. New diseases crop up every year, and we know not from where they come, natural disasters strike — earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, droughts and pestilences.

We know that as the tribulation draws near, these things will increase. The world will not become a better and better place to live, but dramatically worse. Exponentially worse. For the unsaved, these are the signposts of despair. For the Christian, they ought to be harbingers of hope. This issue will address the correct attitude for the Christian to hold when facing disaster and trial in this day of increasing peril. Think Eternally!

Mid-East Update

As we approach the middle of January, peace seems as elusive in the Middle East as it ever has been. The American President fills his last remaining days in office with hopes of some sort of eleventh-hour agreement which will stand as the brightest light in a somewhat tawdry legacy. Both Israel and the Palestinians would like to accommodate him by reaching some sort of final-status agreement, but the compromises that would be necessary are not forthcoming. In fairness, it seems that the Israelis have made all the compromises while the Palestinians are holding fast to their original demands, without compromise, for complete sovereignty over East Jerusalem, and the right of four million or more expatriate Palestinians to return to their former homes in Israel. Those people lost their homes when Israel occupied Jerusalem as a result of the 1967 war, and the land has since been converted to Jewish settlements.

A huge rally on the evening of January 9, 2001, involving some 300,000 Jews from all over the world, demonstrated the Israeli resolve not to see Jerusalem, its historical capital, divided. Thus, while the governments of the region inch closer to an agreement, it is clear that the hearts of the people are not with their governments, ensuring that any peace agreed upon will not be a real or lasting peace, but no more than a nominal peace for the sake of commerce. This is in accord with the Jewish prophets of old, who have declared that this upcoming treaty will be broken when the people of Israel appear too intransigent for the world’s tastes. Even today, as Israel makes concession after concession, it is she, and not the “poor Palestinians” who is viewed as stubborn. Yet, God gave the land to Abraham, and to his descendants through Isaac. Jerusalem ought not be divided at all. Let us pray for the strength and the faith of Israel!

Fruit of the Vine

There is no more opportune time for telling someone of God’s grace than when he is in the midst of great peril or trauma. This has been true since the very first days of the Church Age, and was probably equally true before then. When faced with a mounting crisis, men’s hearts gravitate toward the only refuge they can find, shelter under the wings of a merciful God. Lost people turn to their Christian friends in times of trouble because they hope to find relief from whatever the present crisis may be. How ironic it is if the Christian seeks reasons in the person’s sins for the troubles instead of going directly to the cross with the message of salvation through God’s inestimable grace. A lost person needs one message, and one message only. He needs to hear that God is good and loves him, in spite of his sins, and that He is a present help in times of trouble. The only message about God that will do a lost person any good at all is the message of the shed blood of the Savior. No moralizing or counsel to prayerful petition will help in any way until the lost person becomes a saved person, and the only message that will get him saved is the message of the cross. Let us not fail to recognize opportunities to preach the gospel of grace.

Perspectives

(2 Cor 4: 15-17)

We tend to view the trials of life in a grievous light, making them far worse in our minds than they truly are, viewing them temporally, and from the perspective of our own desires. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi that it has been granted to us to suffer for Christ’s sake, that is is a high privilege, something for which to be grateful, and not something over which we ought to lament and weep (Phil 1:29).

One wonders sometimes how Paul himself managed to rejoice when, for example, he was thrown to the lions at Ephesus, or stoned, or imprisoned. Christians have been known to argue that those instructions are only ideals, but not goals which we ought to have any genuine expectation of achieving. As conservatives, we must believe, however, that Paul meant what he said. For, he did not leave us without clear and unambiguous instructions as to how to go about rejoicing in the face of trials. In the same passage quoted above, Paul continues, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). And to the church at Colosse he wrote, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2).

One of Job’s “friends” said to him, “...man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward…” (5:7). Job said, “Man born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (14:1). Someone said relatively recently that into each life some rain must fall. These are true statements. No man who ever lived walked this earth his entire life without experiencing heartache, grief, tragedy and loss. Some men go through their entire lives pessimistically, just waiting for the next crisis, expecting to be defeated at every turn, and making trouble out of every blessing. It is so very unnecessary.

One of the tenets that we stress often at Christian Chronicles is the necessity of living our lives from an eternal perspective. That is what Paul was talking about when he said those things to the Corinthians and the Colossians. He was saying, “Look, my friends, if you view things temporally, you are going to be upset by every bump in the road. But if you consider that you are already an eternal creature, then you will view the vicissitudes of your earthly lives as little more than necessary inconveniences to the accomplishment of God’s greater purposes. You will begin to be able to rejoice even in crises. The world will see disasters, but you will see the glory of God.”

The fact is, Christian, that you already are eternal. The life which you now live in the flesh is the very life of Christ Himself, and we are already citizens of heaven (Gal 2: 20; Phil 3:20). We reside yet in mortal flesh, but we ourselves are already members of the household of God (Eph 2:19), and ought to view our lives as they really are, exceedingly brief moments in which we are able to serve, laying up treasure in heaven against the day when we shall step physically into eternity as well as being already spiritually there. As we begin to view our lives as ending, not at the grave, but never; as we begin to see ourselves as the eternal creatures that we already are, earthly troubles fall quickly away into insignificance and we are able to deal with them through eyes of faith, and with hearts that truly do trust God, so that we are then able also to rejoice in everything. It is not possible to live earthly lives without crisis and tragedy, but it is more than possible to rejoice in everything, by living out the days of our lives from an eternal perspective, able to trust God in everything.

Why Me, God?

Just Deserts

Early Church Persecution

APersecution is the suffering or pressure, mental, moral, or physical, which authorities, individuals, or crowds inflict on others, especially for opinions or beliefs, with a view to their subjection by recantation, silencing, or, as a last resort, execution@ (Bromily 771).

AFor I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God . . . For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it@ (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13) (NASB).

Paul persecuted the Church and was persecuted for the Church. Paul=s attitude toward suffering would set the stage for many who would come after him. He became an example of living and dying for Christ, both in conduct and in attitude. He taught that Christians should have the same attitude that Christ Himself had, to be Aobedient to the point of death@ (Phil 2:8) (NASB). In Paul=s mind (as well as many Christians who followed), he knew that to live life meant that he had to live it for the Lord, but to die for the Lord only meant that there would be gain B gain in the sense that he would be with the Lord Jesus and there would be no more sorrow, tears, pain, and all of the old things would pass away and all things would become new as he entered into the kingdom of heaven.

By Paul=s own account he describes some of the persecutions he underwent:

Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonment, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from countrymen, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure (I Cor. 11:23-27) (NASB).

Faith in Christ does not automatically erase suffering=s presence, however. Paul strongly opposed any notion of the Christian life as free from suffering. Quite on the contrary, for Paul suffering was one of the marks of true gospel ministry (2 Cor. 4:7-17; 11: 23-28) and discipleship (Phil. 3:10-11; Col. 1:24). As children of God, sharing in the sufferings of Christ translates into sharing future glory (Rom. 8:17- 18; Col. 3:1) (Dockery 683).

 

“Some, suffering the punishment of parricides, were shut up in a sack with snakes and thrown into the sea; others were tied to huge stones and cast into a river. For Christians the cross itself was not deemed sufficient agony; hanging on the tree, they were beaten with rods until their bowels gushed out, while vinegar and salt were rubbed into their wounds...Christians were tied to catapults, and so wrenched from limb to limb. Some...were thrown to the beasts; others were tied to their horns. Women were stripped, enclosed in nets, and exposed to the attacks of furious bulls. Many were made to lie on sharp shells, and tortured with scrapers, claws, and pincers, before being delivered to the mercy of the flames. Not a few were broken on the wheel, or torn in pieces by wild horses. Of some the feet were slowly burned away, cold water being dowsed over them the while lest the victims should expire too rapidly...Down the backs of others melted lead, hissing and bubbling, was poured; while a few >by the clemency of the emperor= escaped with the searing out of their eyes, or the tearing off of their legs” (Workman 299 - 300).

 

A believer can be confident in the face of death because he knows that God is in control of circumstances, even the believer=s life. The believer knows Aall things work together for the good to those who love the lord@ (Roms 8:28) (NASB). Those who love the Lord are mature, or are maturing in wisdom. Wisdom, and maturity, comes from knowing the scripture and applying it to life and all of its circumstances (Matt. 7:14). When facing death, these Scripture references apply to every Christian:

1. No appointment with judgment (Heb. 9:27, 28; Rom. 8:1a).

2. Face to face with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).

3. No more sorrow, pain, tears, death, regrets or embarrassment (Rev. 21:4).

4. An eternal inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4,5).

5. A New Home ( John 14:1-6).

6. The perpetuation of eternal life (1 John 5:11,12; John 10:28).

7. Resurrection body ( Job 19:25, 26; John 11:25; Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:1,2; 1Cor. 15:51- 57).

8. Removal of the old sin nature (1 Cor. 1:8, 15:55-57; Phil. 3:20,21; 1 Thess. 5:23).

9. Removal of human good and evil (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10) (Thieme 8).

AThe meaning of the word martyr,...is one who has proven the strength and genuineness of his faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death@ (Unger 822). Any believer can face any type of death with a joy, peace, and an overall good attitude if he or she will claim the promises of God and keep focused upon God who gives joy even to the dying. Whether death is peaceful, or whether death is violent, it does not matter to the Christian who loves the Lord; his death is a glorious event to be embraced with peace of mind and joy of heart. The believer=s flesh will fail him in time as death approaches; however, there is something greater than his flesh to which he can look and find strength in his hour of need, the WORD OF GOD! AFor all flesh is as grass...The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. But the word of the Lord endureth forever@ (I Peter 1:24,25) (NASB).

Do We Suffer with the Patience of Job?

The patience of Job. It’s an expression that most of us have used at one time or another. Indeed, it’s an expression that men have used for thousands of years. Probably no one since Job, however, has suffered like he did, though many have died for their faith, and many still do. Few, if any have had need of as much patience as Job. And, if the truth be told, Job’s legendary patience failed him. Miserably. He was patient for a time, but then he began to question God. “Why are you treating me so shabbily when I’ve been so upright before you all my life, God? Why must I suffer when I’ve been a righteous man?”

Being conservatives, we certainly believe that Job was an historical character. He lived, and suffered just as the Bible describes. Poor old Job suffered much in every way that a man can suffer. He endured emotional, financial, physical and spiritual suffering, and his friends condemned him rather than offering him any words of comfort. His wife of many years failed to give him any support, suggesting instead that he curse God and die. Even God seemed to ignore Job’s pleas for understanding and relief.

At the last, Job began to question the righteousness and justice of God, and then God responded. He brought him up short, asking the beleaguered man, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and thou shalt answer me” (38:2-3). Job’s response? “Behold, I am vile” (40:4).

And here is the proper response to troubles in our lives. We are to understand that none of us is righteous, and that all of us deserve fates far worse than the light afflictions, which are but for a moment (see 2 Cor 4:14-18) that we suffer as the vicissitudes of life. When we become self righteous, we also become useless to God. Repentant sinners are effective witnesses, but those who think that they are good cannot serve God at all.

The book of Job is a portrayal of the life of the Christian as much as it is a picture of the individual about whom it is written. We rock along in our lives, going through our daily routines, visiting God once or twice a week in church services, and perhaps praying occasionally outside of those gatherings of the saints. We make our plans and attempt to execute them, so that our lives have some order, some regimentation, working toward our temporal goals. Some of us pray daily, and some even pray for others. Have you noticed that it is not the “weak” Christians who suffer the most terrifying tests? It is the faithful servants of God who suffer, and the tests of their faith are often severe. It has always been this way, even in the Old Testament days. Tests of faith are always in direct proportion to the measure of faith given us, so that none of us should complain. But we do.

We begin, like Job, defending ourselves before those friends and loved ones (and enemies) who claim that we are being punished for our sins, attempting to “prove” that it is not so. The trials seem to go on and on and on, until we finally lose our faith and give up hope, again, just like old Job. We keep the faith for a time, trusting God, but then the weight of our tears becomes too heavy to bear, and we begin to complain, to whine to our friends and to our God. These tests of our faith often entail much genuine grief, sorrow and suffering that faithless men and women could not bear. The world mocks our faith, even as Job’s friends mocked his. More often than not, when trials come upon faithful Christians, it is in those times when they are being the most productive and fruitful in their Christian walk. That is when the devil seeks permission to afflict us, and that is when our faith is the strongest, and when God is most likely to permit our testing. And, again, like Job, the trials tend to become worse and worse until we are broken. This, because it is usually during our times of greatest fruitfulness that we tend to become self righteous and need to be taken down a peg or two. Thus, God allows the trials to increase in severity until we are broken. But then, as He did with Job, God glorifies Himself in those very things by which we were afflicted. Not always do men of faith find their fortunes restored like Job did, but every time we exercise our faith, every time we stand on our faith, every time we trust God and step out on faith, great blessings of some sort follow. However, also like Job, sometimes faith does not involve dramatic works or fruitfulness, but submission and humility. The Book of Job is probably in the Bible so that we may know, in times of great or severe troubles, that God blesses faith. It is a book, not of suffering, though it contains much of that, but it is a book of encouragement in the face of the faithlessness all around us in the world. Every trial we emerge from makes us stronger in our understanding of the workings of God; stronger in faith, and more certain that we shall see the glory of God in the next crisis that we face. Every crisis in our lives is a reminder that we must ever and always,

How Did You Die?

What Light Afflictions?

Suffering For Christ's Sake

“Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Cor 11: 24-28).

It was the Apostle Paul who gave us our most frequent encouragements concerning suffering. When the devil persecutes us, we ought to be able to rejoice. It means that we’re doing something right. Let us not faint!

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