Phil. 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake”.

One of the issues and challenges question more than almost any other is the issue of suffering, whether or not we should be suffering as part of faith. There is a common thread of thought are which goes along the lines of God will protect his own children from any suffering. The question is often asked if God is a God of love how can he allow such suffering in the world?

In preparing my sermon for the coming weekend which is along the lines of knowing God’s will, I came across a few verses on suffering. The verse above in Philippians 1:29 says that it is given to us on behalf of Christ not just to believe also that we should suffer for his sake.

1 Peter 4:19 speaks about suffering according to God’s will. This is a difficult notion for Christians to understand and accept. However it is clear if we really study the Scriptures that we are all such take the sufferings of Christ and that pain is something which will teach us and protect us.

If Genesis chapter 3 we see that God turns over the authority and control of the Earth to mankind. Are you will also know that we were created with a will of our own, commonly known as our own free will. I believe that our own free will is more powerful in our own lives than God’s will. This must be the case surely? If God’s will  is more powerful in my life then surely I would never sin. God’s will for me must surely be to become like his son Jesus. However the choices that I make are often very different and yet God’s will does not compel me to do anything. That is what free will is all about. Since we have chosen to disobey God,  sin has come into the world and pain and suffering are consequences for a fallen human race.