Anyone for a Little Scourging?
The Bible teaches that the Lord disciplines those whom he loves. The author reflects on this truth found in Hebrews 12, with a view to explaining how sanctification comes through discipline.
The Bible teaches that the Lord disciplines those whom he loves. The author reflects on this truth found in Hebrews 12, with a view to explaining how sanctification comes through discipline.
This article shows from 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 that one of the reasons for suffering is that we would rely not on ourselves but on the God of the resurrection.
This article considers 2 Corinthians 1:8 and the theme of suffering and affliction in the life of the apostle Paul.
This article shows from passages like Philippians 1:29 how suffering for Christ is a gift of God's grace, established and used by him.
What is the purpose of the use of modern medicine? Should all attention be given to the relief of pain and suffering? Does the quest for health and the prolonging of life at all costs become a way for health-care providers to function as modern priests, dispensing immortality?
This article shows that prosperity gospel has twisted God's word, and is actually not gospel at all since it promises what God did not promise. Working from Romans 5:3-5, the author shows that the true gospel message is suffering now and glory later. This was the pattern of Christ's life and this is the pattern of His followers, because through suffering God's works out in us the character which He desires.
What should Christians think about persecution? Here are ten things you need to know.
This article describes a seldom-celebrated side of grace, sometimes referred to as uncomfortable grace. It shows how Scripture and church history overflow with this grace of God's.
What is God doing with your suffering? From 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, this article explains that God wants to comfort you, comfort others, and draw you near.
Suffering can actually liberate you and help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. How? This article explains four ways that Christians can perceive God is with them in suffering: they can do so through the gospel, God's Word, prayer, and worship.
This article explains how very difficult suffering can be an incredible blessing, and encourages church leaders to prepare their people for suffering. It is a present reality, produces sanctification, increases fellowship, and produces hope.
With an eye to Job, this article reckons with the question, where is God in your suffering? It discusses three truths about suffering: God doesn't promise to keep us from suffering, he doesn't promise earthly goods, and he works through suffering. So the article shows how we can find hope in suffering.
God does not spare his children from afflictions. These are signs of God’s love to his children, for through them he reveals his care as a Father, and he disciplines his children. So Christians must pay attention to their afflictions.
How can you make the best of your suffering? This article suggests avoiding the temptation to succumb to idolatry—hanging contentment on Christ plus something. The article explains this by looking at possible idols from your past, present, and future. It issues the call to train ourselves to delight in all that Christ has done for us.
This article considers three ways we can waste our suffering, all of which have to do with our eyesight. Suffering exposes the nature of our trust, as in, how much or little we look to God. There are two common sources that weaken our faith: looking too much at the problem, and listening too much to our emotions.
Does God have a purpose for your suffering? This article shares thirty-six purposes of suffering.
Is it possible to be thankful in suffering? This article gives twelve reasons that should make the Christian thankful in the face of afflictions.
This article demonstrates by way of Lamentations and Job that we need to acknowledge the sovereignty of God even in painful circumstances
This article offers five reasons for rejoicing when facing persecution.
Do you battle to understand how God works suffering for your good? This article mentions eight ways he does.
In what sense does the apostle Paul use the word "power" in 1 Corinthians 4:9-20? The paper argues that it is a reference to sharing in the suffering of Christ.
How can you make sense of pain? Based on 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 this article shows that pain, evil, and suffering can make sense when one acknowledges the reality of it, the purpose of it, and God's providential involvement in it.
It is a given that, in one way or another, every Christian will face affliction for the sake of Christ. This is so because God’s hand directs such afflictions. This article shares way to respond in a godly way in times of suffering. Pride and the way it manifests itself causes one respond wrongly to affliction. However, humility and acknowledging God characterize a proper response.
This article looks at the reasons God allows suffering. The author shows that suffering reveals our trust of Christ, convict us of sins, corrects us, and focuses our happiness on Christ.
Suffering, though painful, has advantages. This article lists some of the advantages of suffering.
Suffering in the service of Christ is a gift of God. It is part of our Christian calling. (Philippians 1:27-30)
Many Christians have come to spiritual maturity through suffering. Does it mean every Christian must suffer in order to be mature? What is the relationship between maturity and suffering? It is this questions that this article answers.
This article explains how salvation and suffering are inseparable in the life and message of Jesus. The kingdom of heaven has been inaugurated while Satan still acts through sin in the world. The obedience of believers to God often implies sacrifice and suffering. The struggle between the kingdom of God and the revolt of Satan is a reality today.