Suffering (4) is God's Will
The fact that Jesus suffered implies that, suffering is God’s will for those whom he loves (1 Pet 3:17; 4:19). It may be inflicted by a pagan people, and even be the work of the devil, but it is still part of the divine purpose and plan. This is not easy to accept, but the reason has been well expressed by John Ferguson.
In God’s mysterious providence suffering is a fact of life in the world, which is incomplete because it is not given over in full obedience to God as king. The love of God reaches out to heal such suffering. God’s way is not to meet violence and sin with violence and sin, but with suffering and love. God brings in his kingdom, not as a conquering: commander, but as the suffering servant. He turns alienation to atonement by suffering. Sin seeks to conquer love by inflicting suffering; love conquers sin by accenting the suffering (John Ferguson, The Place of Suffering, p.95).Christians are part of the divine plan for the redemption of the world. As part of that plan, we can expect suffering as part of his will for us.
This suggests that Christians like me who live in comfort in the West are missing something of his redemption plan.
Tags:
6 comments:
Hi Ron
With respect to suffering in the face of aggression, some Christians have chosen to be pacifists. They have trusted in good to triumph over evil even if they have to suffer or be killed in the process.
Other Christians have taken up arms to defend their nation in times of war and have chosen to suffer and if need be die in the trenches in order to see good triumph over evil.
Both Christians wanted peace and a good outcome, both chose a path of suffering and possible death, both adopted entirely different approaches to the same problem.
Does scripture support one view over the other, or are both of equal merit before God?
Blessings
Brendan
Brendan
Jesus example is fairly clear.
Sometimes war is justified. I have explain when in Defence and War. However, the situations where war is justified a very rare, so you second option is not open to us very often.
Dying in trenches seldom leads to good triumphing over evil. It usually leads to more evil.
Jesus triumphed over evil on the cross (Col 1:13).
Ron
Good thoughts Ron. I agree with your assessment in answer to Brendan's question. Though I'm a little skeptical that war is ever good for a Christian to engage (as far as fighting is concerned) in.
Ron, This does not diminish what you're saying on this post or of your blog in general. As for example, your thoughts on community (with the balloon diagrams) you have much good to offer.
While I agreed with much of what you say in "Defence and War", I do take some issue with a number of things. Some of that could be perspective. Often disagreement is resolved or lessened with discussion.
For one thing I don't believe the United States has ever been a Christian nation (I know you don't say that). How many nations, if any, in the world today could honestly be called a Christian nation?
Again though, I love your thought in this posting. An excellent reminder and one I need to dwell on more. And even in suffering exult in our God.
Ted
I wrote the piece on Defence and War some time ago. I still believe the basic principles, but I intend to remove the references to a "Christian Nation". I now understand that Christian and nation do not go together. We can speak of a Christian society or community, but not of a Christian nation. Nations are part of what Jesus came to deliver us from.
So I agree that the United States have never been a Christian nation.
Ron
Post a Comment