Two Experiences of Suffering that Pertains to You Through an experience of physical suffering I was reminded of two other experiences of suffering. On July 19-20, 2009, I had what I believe was a gall bladder attack that started on a Sunday afternoon and lasted through the night. Then another on the following evening that also lasted through the night. My suffering, though in no way equal to, reminded me first of all, to the: Sufferings of Christ It was brought to my mind the suffering Christ did for me and of course, all mankind. I did not want to suffer pain, especially after my first bout, I only wanted deliverance. So I thought of how Christ surely did not want to suffer the pain of nails being driven in His hands and feet and all the agony of crucifixion. He prayed, …O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matt. 26:39) It is easy to say Christ died for our sins, but I was reminded that He suffered and died for our sins. Putting myself in His shoes, so to speak, no doubt I would have prayed: Oh God since you are God, surely you can figure out some other way that I don’t have to go through this. But there was no other way. The shedding of divine pure blood and the suffering death on a cross by the divine Son of God was the only way. I am not saying I completely understand it all, but by me going through my pain, it gave me a greater appreciation of what Christ was willing to do for my salvation. I trust my relating this will affect all others the same way who are saved. For those who are not yet saved I trust that you will not let the great sacrifice Christ made be in vain. I would remind you of this one thing. The atonement of Christ is the most important event in the entire history of mankind! All the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament fore-shadowed the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Dear one, since the great God of heaven devised this plan for you and me, how foolish it is to be unconcerned, indifferent, or to ignore this like I once did. Like the song says, Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified… Christ our Example Besides Christ suffering to become our Savior, He also took on the robes of human flesh to provide us an example of how to live. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. (I Peter 2:21-22) Salvation Not Automatic Now of course, Christ’s atonement for all of mankind’s sins did not make salvation automatic. But it did make it possible for whosoever will. To make salvation actual requires faith and the humble route of repentance with godly sorrow. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation… (II Cor. 7:10) God has commanded, … all men every where to repent. (Acts 17:30) I might also point out that God is, …not willing that any should [eternally] perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9) To exercise saving faith is to believe and rely on Christ’s shed blood as the only remedy. True repentance is forsaking all sinful activity. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isa. 55:7) This is more than merely saying, I accept Christ as my personal Savior which is so commonly and erroneously taught today. Having a willingness to forsake all sinful activity and our way is the only way to be forgiven of our sins and be born again. This is when we are quickened or made spiritually alive from being dead in trespasses and sins. (Eph. 2:1) Regardless of any good moral principals in other religions, salvation is only through Christ. (Acts 4:12) Salvation means deliverance and Christ came to, …save [deliver] his people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21) When we are saved from our sins through salvation is when we are born again. When we are truly born again we have power not to sin. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin… (I John 3:9) This kind of an experience is unknown to many, even among religious folks. One may study the Bible and memorize scripture, but they will never really know God until they are truly born again. This is because many things are spiritually discerned. (I Cor. 2:14) God has, …hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes [babes in Christ]. (Luke 10:21) But God hath revealed them unto us [the truly saved] by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (I Cor. 2:10) One of those deep things is a second work of grace. It is called sanctification or the baptism with the Holy Ghost. This is a second spiritual cleansing that cleanses one of their carnal nature after being born again. This is an infilling of the Spirit of God that will give you greater victory and spiritual power. This vital teaching has mostly been lost or perverted over the years. I do not have the space to explain that here. Please get the book, Power for Living Righteously Book I, from this publisher. Now let’s get to: The Other Experience of Suffering My physical suffering also reminded me of the suffering of those who end up in hell. This is one type of suffering that is repulsive to think about. Even so, I urge you to continue reading as one day you may be glad you did. There is also good news coming. The same Bible that tells us of a blissful heaven that will be forever also tells of a place of torment that will be for ever and ever. Jesus said, And these [the wicked] shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matt. 25:46) When I was suffering pain I remember thinking, how long is this going to last. I had the consolation of knowing that God would come to my rescue eventually. But in Hell there will be no escape and no end! The rich man that went to hell said, … send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:24) He was told …between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Jesus taught in Mark 9:43-48, that it would be better to have your hand or your foot cut off or your eye plucked out than to, be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Why Hell Is So Awful The difficulty in understanding the awfulness of hell lies in the misunderstanding of the awfulness of sin. I believe many people have the wrong concept of sin, its penalty, and perhaps even of God. I might say first, that God does not want us to serve Him out of the fear of hell. Although Godly, reverential fear is scriptural. Avoiding hell and gaining heaven are great benefits, but true Christians live for God because we love Him. One reason I feel many may have the wrong concept of God is because of the way He has mostly been portrayed. Most religious leaders have only stressed one aspect of God, His love and mercy. This has created the impression that His great love will overlook disobedience. Precious heart, this is just not so. Without question, God is a God of love and mercy. Yet He is also a God of justice. Justice demands a penalty for lawbreakers. His Word says the disobedient, …shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. (II Thess. 1:9) A wrong concept of sin has also been widely promoted by false prophets and even some of their followers who like it so. If sin is taught as running a stop sign or having a passing wrong thought then hell would seem too extreme of punishment. But the true definition of sin is that it is a willful transgression of divine law. …sin is the transgression of the law. (I John 3:4) It is doing what we know is morally wrong or refusing to do what we know is morally right. (James 4:17) It is a moral choice of disobedience against God laws. That law is now expressed through the teachings of Christ. This is what we all will be judged by in the last day. (John 12:48) Some of His laws are written on our heart, so even those who do not have access to the Bible are responsible to obey these laws. (Romans 2:12-15) The seriousness of sin is not just in the deed itself but in whom it is against. Just consider the price paid to make reconciliation possible for us! For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, (I Peter 3:18) Dear one, the very reason the Son of God suffered and died was because of your sins and mine. He has given plain instructions in His Word and spelled out the penalty for disobedience. God help each one to see just how immensely awful sin really is! For those that are saved I trust this warning of the awfulness of sin and its consequences will be a warning not to get careless. For those that are out of fellowship with God and His body, I pray this will stir you. May God use this pamphlet to awaken you to see the consequences of persisting in your own way! If you muster the courage to humble your self and determine to get right with God, you will be so glad you did. The Good News The bright side of all this is found in loving and obeying God. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (I Cor. 2:9) Even though some may live below their privileges, God’s will for the obedient in this life is: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (III John 2) Then for the next life we are promised: HEAVEN! There is a wonderful, happy, never ending existence promised to all the righteous. As obedient children of God, while in the world, we are not of the world. (John 17:14) We are strangers and pilgrims. (I Peter 2:11) Our hope, aspirations, and desire are heavenward. When God blesses our life and answers prayer, we rejoice and give Him glory. When problems arise and do not work out the way we thought they would, by His grace, we can still accept it joyfully, because of …the hope which is laid up for you [us] in heaven… (Col. 1:5) We have great promises like, In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3) Yes, the righteous will be with Christ and He is in heaven. Heaven is a non-corruptible place for our immortal soul, and our resurrected, immortal and glorified body. It is not earth re-made for it is now in existence. God and His angels now dwell there. There will be no possibility of being lost in heaven, nor will there be any sickness or pain. (Rev. 21:4) It will not be in solitude but in fellowship with the redeemed of all ages; as well as with God and all the host of heaven. There will be more than 144,000. …a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes… (Rev. 7:9) It is an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (II Cor. 5:1) It is an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (I Peter 1:4) It is thrilling just to think about! Time behind us, all eternity before us, plus the presence of God. No sorrow, parting of loved ones, absolutely nothing to mar our happiness. Pleasure forever and ever! This will be our eternal home. I surely don’t want to miss it! By Bill Roberts Gospel Truth and Publications, P.O. Box 142, Jackson Center, OH 45334 Posted by Bill Roberts
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 07:51:38 +0000
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