It is true that we are God’s children by faith whether we are willing to suffer His reproach or not. But we are joint-heirs with Him, “ if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” This verse teaches us that we are glorified according to the degree in which we suffer with Him. The Bible also says that if we are ashamed to own Him and suffer His reproach, He- also will deny us, being ashamed to own us before the Father. The man who puts off his decision for Christ’s gift of salvation until the last hours, has no chance to gain that place of glorious rulership with Christ. This knowledge should be an incentive for our immediate decision to accept Christ’s redemption. “ For unto you it is given, on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:29). Many of the best lessons of life are spelled out by tears. The finest china in the world is burned at least three times. “ By faith, Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of God greater riches than the pleasures of Egypt, for he had respect unto the. recompense of the reward.” Thank God for the privilege of suffering with Christ that we may reign with Him. Victory will come in that day ahead if we suffer with Him now. 10:13) God permits suffering because he wants to test us. Read Paul’s account of the shipwreck on the way to Rome. Paul could say through it all, “ I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.” God permits some to suffer because of their careless Christian living. David said, “ If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” God has to chasten us. Let us be certain our suffering is for God’s cause and not carelessness because of our sin. “ For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?” (I Peter 2:20). Make certain you do not suffer because of your own ignorance and iniquity. There is coming a great millennial kingdom in which all Christians will share the inheritance of the eternal Son of God. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” THE KING 'S BUSINESS
T h e r e is a d e l ic a t e p r o b lem before us today for discussion and study. It is the problem of suffering. Have you asked the question, “Why does God let people suffer?” Yes, this question has been asked by saint and sinner alike. Suffering and more suffering has plagued the earth since the day of Adam’s fall. I have seen it true in all areas of the world. This is not a problem to be treated lightly. It is true that the fundamental cause for suffering is sin. Be careful now. Stay with me. I do not mean that everybody who is sick is a sinner. Let us look at the Biblical answer to suffering. First of all, let us be sure to understand that God does answer prayer to alle viate suffering. Then, there may be a real lack of faith. There is not always a reason for continued suffering. We have the mistaken idea that just because some are weak they have no burdens or heartaches. This is cer tainly not true. Suffering is not always the result of sin. There is no set rule regarding individual suffering. How many Christian people think that because they have fig ured out all the problems for themselves that it will work for everybody else. Let us be extremely careful with people. There are extenuating circumstances, again and again, which change the picture completely. Now, let us analyze these questions more closely. First, why does God let saints suffer? I once knew a lovely-lady in a little town in Minnesota who said to me, “ I thank God for my crutches.” I said, “Why?” She said, “ Because they bring people to me so I can witness for my Redeemer.” God lets some saints suffer today because of their example and testimony for God. Look at Job, sitting in ashes, scraping his sore boils. Listen to his wife telling him to curse God and die. Hear his foolish advisers. Certainly Job did not suffer because-of his sin. God said to Satan, “Hast thou not considered my servant Job? There is none like him in the earth; a per fect and upright man; one who feareth God and eschew- eth evil.” God did not make Job suffer, but He permitted Job to suffer. Job’s testimony was, “ Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” Some people are always contriving to get out of trouble. God allows us to be tested but He says He will not test us beyond that we are able to bear. (I Cor.
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