Suffering for Sin or Suffering for HIM?

Let's face it. As Christians we are still susceptible to sin. When we commit sin there is a pricetag to pay, a price so heavy that there is no way that we can pay it ourselves. When God saved us, He paid this price with His blood - but we must be careful not to willingly sin with this knowledge, for "how can we, who are dead to sin, live anymore therein?" (Romans 6:2) When God saved us, "our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin, for he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:6-7) In the event that we find ourselves living in sin after God has saved us, we should be aware that our old man is still alive. If this is the case, God will allow us to suffer until we are completely dead to sin.

"Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food...
...Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life."
- Job 33:19-20;29-30

In the above passage Elihu is speaking to Job during his time of suffering. He is explaining that God has purpose in allowing men to suffer. He continues to explain that the LORD is in control and completely sovereign, raining on both the just and the unjust. Elihu is the only one in the book of Job who speaks the truth while rebuking him. In verses 26 and 27 he says: "man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.'" Hallelujah! This is the story of every born-again believer. Many say that since Job was upright he did nothing to deserve his tribulations. I disagree. God said he searched for one that would stand in the gap, but found none (Ezekial 22:30), so He came Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, therefore we are all, including Job, guilty and deserve punishment. But praise be to God that we can exclaim "I have sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me!!!!"

Job's suffering was not for one particular sin. His suffering was purposed to prove God's Word. He suffered for Christ's sake when he was rebuked by his 3 other friends. He stayed steadfast in his faith, even though his wife told him to curse God and die. No matter what satan did to him, Job trusted in God's Word. Yes Job did murmer, he did ask "why me?". But He also trusted God, saying "'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong." (Job 1:21-22)

How do we react when we suffer? Do we truly understand the reason for our suffering? Are we suffering because we are sinning in our flesh? Are we suffering for the sake of the Gospel? Are we suffering because we are doing right? Or are we suffering because we are doing wrong?

"It is better to suffer in obedience and have the peace of God, then to suffer in disobedience and feel separated from God." - me

If you are suffering because of your own sin - the answer is to repent and ask God to help you overcome that sin by the power of the Holy Ghost. Walk in obedience and fight the good fight of faith. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) Just as with Jesus himself, God teaches us obedience by the things that we suffer. (Hebrews 5:8)

If you are suffering for the sake of Christ, rejoice! The one thing that every Christian is guaranteed in this life on earth is suffering. "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:16-18) "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Timothy 2:12) "If you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:14-15) "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. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." (1 Peter 4:12-16)

"All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" - 2 Timothy 3:12

Let us therefore suffer for righteousness sake and not for our own sins. Selah.