Why Do the Righteous Suffer?

A Bible Believers series on
The Love of God

Why Do the Righteous Suffer?

Well, there are certainly many 'studies' on the market trying to explain why 'good' people suffer -
and there also many studies on the web why 'people in general' suffer.

I guess people figure that because 'God is Love' that there should be no suffering on this earth no matter who you are. I mean, aren't we all just special folks made of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Puke - puke - puke!

We are sinners - if we are 'lost' sinners, then we deserve Hell and will get that reward in due time. If we are 'saved' sinners, then even though we still deserve Hell like everyone else, we have put our faith in Jesus Christ and have received HIS righteousness in return. HE paid the wages for our sin and died, went to Hell, rose again and now sits at the right hand of God the Father - and soon will come and get His bride!

By the way, just to stir the soup a bit here, did you know that a saved sinner doesn't sin when he sins? ha - figure that one out and IT IS TRUE! We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not... Do you have any idea what that is all about and where it is located in your Bible?

At any rate, as a saved sinner, we still have our sufferings to go through - and unfortunately, it seems that some folks suffer more than others. So, why is that? Why all the suffering?

Well, to an unsaved person, suffering is exactly what the world pays - the wages of sin is death. To someone who does not know Jesus Christ, He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

Other than the disasters of 'nature' and the normal killings and bloodshed that is so common in this world, it almost seems like the unsaved - the wicked seem to be having a good time in life, amen?

Job 21:7-26
7: Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8: Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9: Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10: Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11: They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12: They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13: They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14: Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us;
for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15: What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16: Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17: How oft is the candle of the wicked put out!
and how oft cometh their destruction upon them!
God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18: They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19: God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20: His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21: For what pleasure hath he in his house after him,
when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22: Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23: One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24: His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25: And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26: They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

That is the life of the wicked - the lost - the unsaved.
It may not appear to them now, but it will!
Revelation 20:11-15

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

One of the 'difficulties' that 'righteous' people have when it comes to the 'suffering of the righteous', is that unsaved people are NOT RIGHTEOUS!

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

And - if people think they are doing 'righteous things', they are in for a surprise because our righteousness is nothing but a box of oily greasy filthy rags Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags... just waiting to burst into flame, amen? ... into the fire that never shall be quenched...Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:45, 48.

So who then IS righteous? Those people who have put their faith and trust into and onto Jesus Christ as their Saviour. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Romans 4:5-8

Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

John 1:12,13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:9-14 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

So then, the question is really,
Why Do God's Children Suffer?
Hebrews 12:7-13 7: If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8: But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10: For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12: Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13: And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

When we as Christians, do we have a visual testimony to others as a complainer - a whiner - not happy with things the way they are going? Do we go to our friends with our 'complaints' of life? When we have problems, do we 'handle' it fine or do people see us as not 'true' believers in what we 'say' about the Book. (Everybody talks about how God cares for them, but do they see how the Book - the Love of God - cares for us?).

If we don't understand how God deals with us and complain, then don't expect your friends to want what/who you have, amen!

Here are some scriptures that ought to give us a choice if we ever 'wonder' why things get to be rough at times.

I. To be a partaker of his holiness as He learned obedience through His sufferings.
Hebrews 5:8,9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Philippians 1:28,29 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

II. Reap what you Sow!
Galatians 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

III. Not to be condemned with the world!
I Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

IV. Learn to be content!
Philippians 4:11,12 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

V. Makes us weaker and God stronger!
II Corinthians 12:5-10 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

VI. Refines us to be stronger!
I Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
II Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

VI. Be Sympathetic to Help Others
II Corinthians 1:3-10 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

VII. Straighten out our Affection from earthly things to heavenly things.
Colossians 3:1-10 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

VIII. Learn to trust God through the body of Christ also - the brethren!
Philippians 4:13-19 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

And finally, folks, as bad as suffering can be...
...it just 'ain't that bad!
Romans 8:16-18
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

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