The Reasons Why Christians Suffer
The Number One Reason Those Who Seek
Divine Healing Fail To Receive
Rock of Offence Special Commentary
The following commentary is taken from a previous response to a reader from South Africa. It is modified to address the subjects of Divine healing, faith -- and why Christians suffer. Many sincere believers in Christ have asked the same questions since the existence of the first century church. Today, the critics of faith, divine healing and God's Grace are spreading massive amounts of misinformation on these subjects. Their answers are misleading and cause believers to have a distorted conception of their Heavenly Father.
Here are the original questions:
"We have a new and better covenant and we are the seed of Abraham. Why then do we experience such suffering? Is it lack of being conscious of Jesus grace? Paul was under the new covenant and suffered greatly, however, one thing I have noticed is that the suffering he experienced was only due to the fact that he was preaching the true good news, the gospel of grace. I've researched his suffering and it had nothing to do with what some of us believers are experiencing. Sickness, financial lack, etc not due to the gospel at all. Why do we experience these things? Is it a curse from the law/lack of receiving grace? Could you please help me by answering or pointing me in the right direction?" Also....
"May I please ask another question? I am a little confused on faith & belief, what is the difference? Is it true to say that the more grace or Christ's righteousness you receive the more power you will walk in? (seeing signs, wonders & miracles). Is faith then simply believing in Gods grace, in Jesus?"
This Bible Study is the first in a special five
part series, which addresses the controversial
subject of Christian suffering. The other 4
studies are available below:
(Study 2) Belief, Faith and God's Power
(Study 3) Misconceptions About Paul's
Thorn in the Flesh
(Study 4) Is Suffering God's Will for the Christian?
(Study 5) Does God Really Do Whatever He Wants To Us?
The Reasons Why Christians Suffer
Dear Brother,
Thank you for your kind words concerning the website. Believers in every generation have asked these same questions at one time or another. I have searched the Scriptures for over 40 years in order to obtain what I consider to be "God's perspective" on these issues. I am not interested in the common, yet misleading answers given by popular religious leaders seeking to defend their particular theology. If the task was easy, there would be no controversy.
First, yes--you are correct; Paul and the early apostles experienced suffering as a result of their apostolic calling in the Gospel, which made them a target for the enemy. Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned and left for dead, lived in peril of robbers and the falsely religious that sought to kill him – and was frequently in extreme want and need. These things were the result of what Paul called his “thorn in the flesh”, WHICH HE SAID WAS "A MESSENGER FROM SATAN SENT TO HARASS (OR BUFFET) HIM". THIS DEMONIC MESSENGER CAUSED THE AFFLICTIONS -- THEY DIDN'T COME FROM GOD. (Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Some of these afflictions resulted in injuries that caused a permanent physical problem. For example, Paul’s skin and muscles didn’t heal and continued to carry the marks and wounds of his beatings for the rest of his life. Also, how good do you think someone’s health will be who was stoned (involving concussion, broken bones and severe internal injuries) and left for dead. (Read 2 Corinthians 11:22-29) PAUL SAID THAT GOD ALLOWED THIS SATANIC MENACE AS A WAY TO KEEP HIM FROM GETTING PRIDEFUL BECAUSE OF HIS SPECIAL APOSTOLIC CALLING AND THE REVELATIONS HE RECEIVED FROM GOD FOR THE CHURCH. This means, contrary to popular Christian teaching, PAUL'S THORN WAS NOT SICKNESS, even though there is evidence that he suffered from a problem with his eyesight from time to time. It also means that “PAUL'S THORN” WAS UNIQUE AND ONLY GIVEN TO HIM AS A RESULT OF HIS SPECIAL APOSTOLIC CALLING.
Anyone claiming that their sickness (or the sickness of Christian believers in general) is the result of "Paul's Thorn", no matter how well-intentioned, has unknowingly accepted false teaching.
A more detailed look at this often misunderstood
subject is available at the following link:
Misconceptions About Paul's
Thorn in the Flesh
No one living in the first century had perfect health. The living conditions were just too unsanitary. Water came from wells and streams and was often of poor quality. Common infections from a cut or wound were life-threatening. Modern knowledge about sanitation and sterilization was nonexistent. To say that Paul’s physical problem proves that God sends sickness and disease on His people (or uses it to make them more holy and spiritually mature) is nothing more than handling the Scriptures dishonestly and taking advantage of a congregation’s spiritual ignorance. Yet, in contrast, other believers who did not operate in the same apostolic calling as Paul, such as the Corinthian Church, had a different outcome.
"Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! FOR I THINK THAT GOD HAS DISPLAYED US, THE APOSTLES, LAST, AS MEN CONDEMNED TO DEATH; FOR WE HAVE BEEN MADE A SPECTACLE TO THE WORLD, BOTH TO ANGELS AND TO MEN. WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, BUT YOU ARE WISE IN CHRIST! WE ARE WEAK, BUT YOU ARE STRONG! YOU ARE DISTINGUISHED, BUT WE ARE DISHONORED! TO THE PRESENT HOUR WE BOTH HUNGER AND THIRST, AND WE ARE POORLY CLOTHED, AND BEATEN, AND HOMELESS. AND WE LABOR, WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. WE HAVE BEEN MADE AS THE FILTH OF THE WORLD, THE OFFSCOURING OF ALL THINGS UNTIL NOW. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church." (1 Cor. 4:6-17 NKJV -- Emphasis Mine)
In the Bible, there are three types of sufferings or tribulations. Some of these overlap.
Constructive
Destructive
Self-Inflicted
Constructive sufferings are used by God to help us to grow and mature as believers. The “destructive” ones are sent from our enemy to harm or destroy us. The self-inflicted kinds are the consequences (direct and indirect) of choices we make in life like unhealthy diet, wrong lifestyle choices and unwise financial decisions. I don’t really think we can blame either God or Satan for the self-inflicted kind. Because our Heavenly Father loves us, He will help us out with those as well. Yet, many times God will let the consequences of our own choices produce the suffering that persuades us to choose His ways rather than ours. The Bible suggests that even Christ experienced this kind of suffering that led to obedience.
"...though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8-9)
When suffering comes into our life, we must determine its source. If it’s constructive, we need to learn the lessons God is trying to teach us and endure. If the suffering is destructive, we need to resist it firmly in faith because God does not send destruction on His children. If it’s the “self-inflicted” kind, we need to seek the Lord’s help found in our “New and better covenant"(Hebrews 8:6-7). But, we must also be ready to assume responsibility for our own actions, which can be painful and costly. Many of these consequences don’t just “go away” because we recognize and confess the sin. Many times there is a painful consequence that must be endured. God may not necessarily make those things go away. This is especially true if our life-choices or actions hurt others and some kind of retribution is required. We are all different and our experiences are different. There is no blueprint that gives a complete answer for every person. There are just too many variables.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
There is also a fourth area that almost nobody in the Church wants to discuss. It’s called “unbelief”. Most unbelief is caused by misinterpreting Scripture by ignoring its context. It allows a person to make the Bible fit their cherished personal theology and traditions. Spiritual leaders, denominations and various movements can commit this sin on a much larger and destructive scale. It has been a common and hurtful practice within Christian Orthodoxy for over 2000 years. Jesus continually warned His disciples about the dangers. Effectively dealing with unbelief is very unpopular. It's avoided because it forces us to examine our spiritual foundation and our most cherished beliefs. It confronts us with the possibility that there’s a problem with our faith, which could be established on false religious doctrines and teachings. IF OUR FAITH IS BUILT ON A WRONG FOUNDATION IT WILL NOT FUNCTION WHEN TROUBLE COMES OUR WAY. God will not somehow “understand” our wrong beliefs and act on our behalf anyway, as most Christians assume. Spiritual laws, similar to earthly laws of physics (like those that govern gravity for example) do not work in this way. Even Christ’s new and better covenant has specific rules and spiritual laws (or truths) that only operate under God's unmerited favor known as GRACE. If we step outside of the principles that govern the Grace of Christ, we can unknowingly cut ourselves off from the many benefits of the New covenant Gospel (Galatians 1:6-8, Galatians 2:19-21, Galatians 5:4).
"You have become estranged (or cut-off/separated) from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE." (Galatians 5:4 -- Emphasis Mine)
"Therefore BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT". (Romans 3:20 -- Emphasis Mine)
(Important Note: This is Paul's horrific warning: If you seek to be justified through the Law and fail to submit to Christ's free justification through His cross, your salvation is in question. There is no such thing as possessing salvation without being justified. You can't have one without the other.)
"...BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, whom God set forth as a propitiation BY HIS BLOOD, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26 -- Emphasis Mine)
The Law (and its deeds or works) that the apostle Paul speaks about in these verses is the previous religious system of the Old Testament that operated before Christ's crucifixion. As we can see, leaving the principles of the Grace of Christ and trying to live under the old system carries horrific spiritual consequences. Yet, many professing Christians who seek healing are trying to live their "new life in Christ" under this forbidden system of faith, which can block God's healing power that now comes through the cross.
Our faith correctly operates ONLY when it’s based on the authentic truth of God's Word. It doesn’t work when its based on something else that only looks like truth, but isn't. The difficult part is knowing the difference.
Authentic Biblical faith never operates by human assumption. Many in the Christian Church ASSUME that their faith in God (built on their particular church doctrine or tradition) provides an “umbrella of protection” over their lives and families. However, their faith could be built on foundational doctrine and Scripture that is lifted from the context where God placed it. We repeatedly warn in most of our writings that when Scripture is removed from its context -- AND REINSERTED into the modified religious context of a particular minister or denomination -- THE ORIGINAL MEANING OF THAT SCRIPTURE CHANGES. Why? It's now REDEFINED by its "new context". The Scripture (which continues to look and sound the same) ceases to be God’s Word (usually without our knowledge) and becomes part of "the doctrine of the minister or preacher". In this situation, the doctrine or Bible teaching may not represent God's origianl intentions at all. For more information about this serious problem CLICK HERE. It's a disastrous spiritual practice, which is commonplace in the Christian Church. In some cases, it’s almost impossible to discern. This is why, when a storm or threatening event hits our life, our spiritual defenses fail and we wonder why God is allowing the destruction and the suffering that goes with it. Yet, He isn’t causing the suffering at all. Unbelief is causing the suffering because our faith is unknowningly compromised by a faulty Scriptural foundation. Professing Christians caught in these situations usually claim to be “suffering for Christ”. They insist that the suffering is something God is sending to make them "more pious and holy". Down through history, Christians are taught to use religious excuses like this rather than painfully examine the real root problem, which is unbelief that exists in their spiritual foundation.
Properly dealing with unbelief takes a lot of self-examination and personal honesty. It takes a willingness to abandon previously held wrong religious beliefs and replace them with truth from God's Word. No one can do this for you. No pastor, apostle, minister or teacher can do it for you. After watching these things for over 40 years, I am persuaded that this fourth area involving the sin of unbelief is the cause of most suffering among Christians. It approaches us by stealth disguised as “foundational and fundamental Bible teaching”, then neutralizes our defenses so that even the destructive trials from our enemy can overcome us and do great harm. OUR DEFENSES REMAIN DOWN -- EVEN WHEN WE ATTEMPT TO "STAND IN FAITH" AGAINST THE ATTACK. The problem is with our defective faith. IT IS OFTEN NOT ABOUT GOD'S UNWILLINGNESS TO ACT ON OUR BEHALF. It’s similar to jumping from an airplane with a faulty parachute that you assume is working properly. You trust the parachute to open at the right time, yet it fails and the law of gravity takes its toll. Most well-meaning fundamentalist Christian people and their leaders will fight rather than change because they mistakingly think their unbelief is Biblical truth. God wants us to live in victory. Yet, unbelief is a negative spiritual force THAT EFFECTIVELY SHORT-CIRCUITS THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE. An example of this is recorded in Mark 6:1-6 (quoted below). Unbelief in the crowd prevented Jesus (The Divine Son of God) from doing any mighty works. Think about that! In my own life, I’ve gone through this painful process of examining my spiritual foundation several times, along with the change that is required. It’s a necessary ongoing process that should be practiced as we follow Christ.
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- UNLESS INDEED YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED." (2 Corinthians 13:5)
"And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. AND HE (JESUS) COULD THERE DO NO MIGHTY WORK, SAVE THAT HE LAID HIS HANDS UPON A FEW SICK FOLK, AND HEALED THEM. AND HE MARVELLED BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF. And he went round about the villages, teaching." (Mark 6:1-6 KJV)
Our new and better covenant in Christ (Hebrews 8:6-7) offers prosperity and divine healing. These benefits remain available to the Church regardless of the preachers who distort Scripture and take them to unbiblical extremes. They also remain available to the Church regardless of the many critics who attempt to redefine or discredit these benefits. Yes, the suffering in the Church is largely a result of not receiving “God’s Grace”. Yet, this failure is better understood another way. It's the result of trusting church doctrines established on a cloaked religious form of unbelief. This tragic, yet common condition puts whole congregations (without their knowledge) under “the curse of the Law”, while tricking them into thinking they’re obeying Christ. All the details of “The Law” and the works associated with it are recorded in the Bible. Yet, many preachers lift these Scriptures from their context under Old Testament Judaism and force them upon the New Covenant Church under Grace WHERE BOTH GOD AND THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID THAT THEY DON'T APPLY. THIS PRACTICE RESULTS IN A CURSE. IT PRODUCES A FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF UNBELIEF THAT LOOKS LIKE FUNDAMENTAL BIBLE TEACHING. GOD WARNS THAT HE DOES NOT HONOR THIS SYSTEM OF FAITH. There are many variations of this popular practice of misapplying Scripture and the unbelief and unnecessary suffering that result.
The Number One Reason Those Who Seek
Divine Healing Fail To Receive
Here is a recent illustration for the commentary above:
I recently listened as a preacher taught on the subject of divine healing. He quoted the famous verse from the book of Isaiah about Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah of Israel:
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6 -- Emphasis Added)
The preacher then asked the question, "If I'm healed by his stripes, why am I still sick?"
He went on to say that Isaiah was speaking about a "spiritual healing from sin" and not a healing from physical sickness. He described his own experience, where he tried to obtain healing for a particular illness. He passionately prayed, stood in faith, read and quoted the Scriptures -- but the healing never came. This experience caused him to conclude that Isaiah really meant that Christ's stripes did not provide physical healing, but only a "spiritual healing from sin". However, establishing doctrine on personal experience always leads to dangerous error that can take God's people astray in their faith. This preacher is using an old argument commonly repeated by the critics of divine healing. Apparently, they never stop to consider the rest of Isaiah's prophecy about Jesus Christ and an important benefit of the cross recorded in Matthew chapter 8...
"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself (Jesus Christ) took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matt 8:17 KJV)
Infirmities and sicknesses are physical illnesses. To say that Christ's healing is only for some kind of "spiritual illness involving sin" is a tragic distortion of Scripture. Yet, Jesus did bear our sins. But, He also bore our infirmities and sicknesses. THE SALVATION OF JESUS CHRIST DEALS WITH BOTH PHYSICAL SICKNESS AND HUMAN SIN. It's dishonest and misleading to redefine Scripture to avoid dealing with the real problems that exist in your theology.
Why are so many of God's people sick and not healed when prayed for? You may be surprised that the blockage does not come from God. The people making these statements assume that their faith agrees with God's Word because they consider themselves to be a committed "Bible-believer". Many wrongly assume that God must honor their particular Bible-based theology or salvation doctrine. They assume that the foundation of their faith is established on truth, because it was taught in seminary or in a "fundamentalist Bible-believing church". They have probably never "examined themselves" as the apostle Paul commanded to see if they actually have the correct "New Covenant faith of Christ" (2 Corinthians 13:5) -- AND NOT THE EASY TO FIND RELIGIOUS COUNTERFEIT FAITH THAT BLOCKS PHYSICAL HEALING AND SHORT-CIRCUITS GOD'S POWER. Since divine healing depends on having the right the kind of faith, these are valid and uncomfortable issues that must be confronted if we want to walk in truth. Some of these issues were previously covered in this article. For additional information read our commentary entitled, "Why Most Christians Don't Get Healed". You can access it HERE.
I hope this information is helpful. May you continue to discover the riches of God’s Grace in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sincerely In Christ,
Rock of Offence Ministries
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