Are Christians supposed to suffer?
score:6
Yes...
A majority of Christian traditions recognize on some level that we will and even must suffer. The author and perfecter of our faith was hung on a tree. As his followers, we can expect pretty much more of the same.
1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV)
12 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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
In fact if you comb through the rest of Scripture you will find a huge amount of material covering not only how to deal with suffering, but more warning to expect it and even detailed analysis of how it helps us.
The view that current suffering is a necessary part of our Christian walk in so far as it is aspect of how we are united with our Savior is particularly emphasized in the Reformed tradition. More generic Evangelicals also tend to hold generally to the idea that suffering is not without purpose but see it as so much of a requirement so much as probability.
There's a wrong way to do it...
For every truth, there is a perversion. The obvious perversion of a "yes" answer here is the idea of needing to go out and find trouble. Some flog themselves, others stick their necks out on issues that do not further the cause of the Gospel just because they know it will garner a reaction and bring on the suffering. Although I am caricaturizing, these fallacies often require nuanced rebuttals to show how they are bringing trouble on themselves in a way that isn't what Scripture would direct us to even if it promises that trouble will come and is even for our good.
We aren't told to seek suffering for suffering's sake, we're told to seek the Kingdom and how to respond to suffering when it does come.
There are those who say "No"...
A relatively modern movement, but one that has actually popped it's head up a few times before, is the idea of what is sometimes labeled "health and wealth" gospel. They build a case on excerpted passages that God doesn't want his children to suffer and the only reason we do is our own weakness/lack of faith/etc. You generally won't find espousers of this view even acknowledge verses such as the ones in your question at all.
Upvote:1
The ancient tradition is clear on this matter:
"…if we are ashamed to imitate our Lord’s sufferings, which He endured for us, and to suffer as He suffered, it is obvious that we shall not become partakers with Him in His glory. If that is true of us we shall be believers in word only, not in deed. When deeds are absent, our faith is dead."
- St. Symeon the New Theologian (c 950)
Related, St. John Chrysostom:
"Some think that to enjoy good health is a source of pleasure. But it is not so. For many who have good health have a thousand times wished themselves dead, not being able to bear the insults inflicted upon them….For although we were to become kings and live royally, we should find ourselves compassed about with many troubles and sadnesses….By necessity kings have as many sadnesses as there are waves on the ocean. So, if monarchy is unable to make a life free from grief, then what else could possibly achieve this? Nothing, indeed, in this life"
(Homily I8, On the Statues).
This discussion here is characteristic, but make sure to read more than the first exchange: http://www.monachos.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-1451.html
A good quote:
The lives of the saints are the best! And they not only do not complain about trials and sufferings, but welcome them in joy and gratitude, and when persecuted, are found praying fervently for their persecutors...
Suffering is itself a means of self-transcendence, and while being dangerous and difficult, is accepted as being 'the cross' that Christ admonishes us to bear.
This is not a New Testament thing, but starts with Job, the oldest known book, wherein Job's suffering is a gateway to comprehension of the mystery of providence and restoration to life.
Upvote:3
Some Christians suffer more than others, but all Christians are guaranteed to suffer a little bit due to 2 Tim 3:12. You won't have to look for ways to suffer, you will suffer primarily because of Gal 4:29. The one born after the flesh (the unsaved world or the carnal nature in a believing Christian) is guaranteed to persecute those who walk in his Holy Spirit. If you aren't suffering then you aren't walking in his Holy Spirit. But remember that his yoke is easy and his burden light Mat. 11:30. So persecution is more than tolerable, if you are filled with the joy unspeakable 1 Pet 1:7-8, which comes from his holy spirit.
Upvote:4
The answer to this question is always "Yes" in the Bible. If Jesus suffered we ought to suffer as well as we must partake in everything Jesus took. We suffer with him. We die with him. We'll live with him.
2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us
When Jesus was being led to Golgotha
Luke 23: 27,28,31
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
We are meant to face persecution
Luke 12:51-53
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Now, it depends on what you termed "suffering" but it still comes down to "not being able to do what you want or express yourself the way you like"
It is true most of the persecutions have been faced by the apostles and they've really done a good job to keep the gospel for us but there is still persecution of the christ-like people.
The magnitude of the persecution seems reduced and insignificant but that's not true.
This is so because in the days of the apostles, they were the only ones and were outnumbered. But these days, it's like we have more professed christians than unbelievers.
Christians have blended with unbelievers. There seems to be little difference between us so there is little to persecute us for.
Every time the spirit presses it upon me that we have not been living to expectations in our generation. Like we have failed God in some ways. If we live like we should then our lights would shine before men, they'll notice the difference and they would persecute us. Christians have not been role-model to the world. The world is become our role-model.
Imagine how churches have blended with governments and support governments in carrying out bad policies. Imagine how many times the pulpit has been used as propaganda stage for politicians.
Our sufferings/persecution might not always be physical, they could be emotional. For example, churches that praise bad governments and people would get fat tithes and donations while those who criticize them get little or none.
In some part of the world you need to give bribes to get employment or contract, if you are a lady, give your body as sexual pleasure to get favours, otherwise, nothing for you - that is persecution. They are simply telling us to deny our faith (2 Timothy 3:12).
Your friends go to party, get drunk, merry, sleep around with ladies. These you cannot do and they mock you - that's suffering and persecution
In my first bullet, it's like we have more professed christians than unbelievers, most of us were born in christian homes though they may not go to church. That makes christianity easy. In some home which are dominated by muslims and there comes a convert, he would surely be persecuted and he won't enjoy those things he used to enjoy - that's suffering. Some parents have disowned their children because they claimed to be converted - every school fees, feeding etc. withdrawn.
In my third bullet, that impression used to come whenever I read NARROW/Strait is the way/gate that leads to heaven but only few are walking it Those few suffer, that's why it's narrow.
To cut the story short, in the real sense, Jesus said you'll hate your father, mother, families, wife etc if you really want to follow me.
More post
- 📝 What is the Biblical evidence against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
- 📝 Is the phrase, "Heaven is the presence of God, but Hell is the absence of God" an orthodox viewpoint?
- 📝 Holy Water container is dirty
- 📝 List of papal teachings considered infallible
- 📝 Is a lawfully-constituted civil society divinely-instituted?
- 📝 To use or not use portable receptacles for baptism?
- 📝 Which denominations follow prosperity theology?
- 📝 Is there any substantive difference between the verbal reference "second Corinthians" and "two Corinthians"?
- 📝 Are there any Christian denominations that do not believe in Exorcisms?
- 📝 What are the origins of the Our Lady of Grace statues?
- 📝 How did the livestock of the Egyptians die twice?
- 📝 Bible with commentaries of the Church Fathers
- 📝 Calvinism: alternatives to evanescent grace?
- 📝 Does modern physics contradict transubstantiation?
- 📝 How does the gospel turn justice into a defender of the guilty?
- 📝 Can one take up the cross of someone who is suffering from illnesses and carry them like Simon of Cyrene and pray that to God?
- 📝 How do universalists avoid tempation?
- 📝 Why do we celebrate Easter only 2 days after Good Friday?
- 📝 Do United Methodist Church members really eat ham during Easter?
- 📝 What denominations practice "laying on of hands" so that new converts may receive the Holy Ghost, and what manifestations are usually expected?
- 📝 How do Protestants reconcile their confession of the Athanasian Creed with sola scriptura?
- 📝 Are Catholic bishops infallible?
- 📝 What is meant by the expression that Jesus came in the fullness of time?
- 📝 Does human DNA have markers that Jesus is alive in us?
- 📝 What were people supposed to do with an incomplete or nonexistent Bible?
- 📝 If all demons are believers, then why are some humans atheists?
- 📝 How can Paul having been alive apart from the Law reconcile with the doctrine of original sin?
- 📝 Married man becoming Latin Rite Catholic priest if giving up sex?
- 📝 Why is the story of Joachim and Anne considered true in tradition but mentioned only in apocryphal works?
- 📝 Of whom is God jealous?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Are Christians supposed to suffer?
- 📝 Are Christians supposed to be like-minded?
- 📝 Are Christians bound to the laws of their country?
- 📝 Are Orthodox Christians all the same faith?
- 📝 According to Evangelicals, before the Reformation, who were Christians if “Catholics are not Christians”?
- 📝 Are there any statistics that show how many scientists are Christians or otherwise believe in a personal God?
- 📝 In evangelicalism, how are Christians free from sin?
- 📝 Should Christians uphold unjust laws that are not overtly immoral?
- 📝 How is the belief that Christians are both adopted and begotten sons of God reconciled?
- 📝 How do Theistic Evolutionists who are Christians reconcile these Scriptures with the adoption of evolutionary theory?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for saying Christians are "friends of God"?
- 📝 What assures Christians that they alone are saved?
- 📝 As Christians we are already saved, so why must we keep repenting of sin?
- 📝 What sort of Christians are proponents of just war?
- 📝 Why are the men of Genesis so old? Were the dating systems just different? Are all of these old ages supposed to have symbolic meaning?
- 📝 Which pre-Nicene Christians who helped shape the trinity doctrine are now considered heretics?
- 📝 How are the 12 Anathemas of St. Cyril against Nestorius supposed to be read?
- 📝 How are devout Christians viewed by other believers, when they are not delivered from "evil"?
- 📝 What are Christians called who believe in a non-intervening God?
- 📝 Are there any Christians who only accept the gospels?
- 📝 Are Christians still persecuted in Afghanistan?
- 📝 Are Catholics not supposed to pray the St. Michael Prayer?
- 📝 What percentage of US Christians are Dispensationalists?
- 📝 How are Christians expected to live up to the standards of following Christ?
- 📝 Other than non-Trinitarian, what terms are there for Christians who don't believe in the trinity?
- 📝 Did the LDS believe that Christians are doomed to hell?
- 📝 Are there any groups of Christians who believe that all loans made with their money should be made without the expectation of repayment?
- 📝 How can Saint Thomas Christians who are Catholic have confidence that St. Thomas sailed to Muziris?
- 📝 How are ectopic pregnancies supposed to be dealt with according to the Catholic Church?
- 📝 For Christians who are skeptical of the writings of the Apostolic & Ante-Nicene Fathers, what is their epistemological basis for trusting a canon?