Devotion #2: Suffering and Purpose

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:18-21 

Suffering is inevitable in life. I think we would all love for that not to be true, but the Bible is very clear that it is when and not if we experience suffering. Often, we can feel like our suffering will not end or has no purpose. If we believe that, if we allow that to guide our life through our suffering, it will seem hopeless. However, our seasons of suffering do have a purpose. It is to sanctify us and to bring God glory.  

What is sanctification? John MacArthur defines it, “True sanctification, according to Scripture, is the process of God’s transforming work in your life. In the moment of your salvation, you are declared justified by the Lord through the sacrifice of His Son and freed from the guilt of sin. From there, sanctification frees you from the pollution of sin, helping you destroy sinful patterns and relinquish your former wickedness.” 

The study I am doing with my Growth Community is on Ephesians, and they said this about sanctification, “The Holy Spirit lives inside of us presently, continually at work to make us holy. Present grace frees us from sin’s power - we are no longer enslaved to sin. However, we will struggle with sin and live in a world broken by sin.” 

As I understand sanctification more and more, the one question that I ask, the one question I believe we, as believers, ask repeatedly is, “Why does God choose to use trials or suffering to sanctify me?” 

We live in a world broken by sin, and our sanctification is designed to bring us closer to God and away from that sin. Look at James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” 

In 1 Peter 4:12-13, we read, “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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 

We see both in James and 1 Peter that suffering is not strange in that we share this experience with Christ. In His suffering on the cross, He understands our suffering. He endured it as well.  

Matthew chapter 26 is where we see Jesus going to the garden before His death, beseeching his Father in verse 39, “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” 

How many of us have seen the storm coming or been in the middle of the trial and begged God to let it pass over us? If that has made you feel weak, angry, or forgotten, remember Jesus, God’s Son, asked for the same thing. He knew He was about to go into a season of suffering. He knew it would be painful, He would be betrayed, and He did not want it, and yet his response was, “Not as I will, but as you will.” He knew His suffering had a purpose. 

I read somewhere that “God is so much more committed to my sanctification than He is my comfort. And so that being the case, then He is good to me because He is showing me him (God) in these difficulties.” 

Jesus died to Himself and endured the suffering for His Father’s glory. So, take heart: Jesus has gone before us and endured so much more. Our suffering, while it pales in comparison to Jesus’ suffering, brings our Father glory. That is what Paul is talking about in verse 18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  

Endure your suffering for God’s glory just as Jesus did.