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"I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfullness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth ..." (Ps. 40:10, NKJV)

Monday, May 28, 2007

TO THE CALLED OUT ONES - All Things Work Together for Good

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) magazine, March 2007

HAVE YOU EVER felt terribly sad and desperate because of the tremendous problems and heavy burdens you carry in life? Do the situations surrounding you paint a bleak future, making you feel apathetic, unhappy, and uncertain? How much time and energy have you spent all day and night, wrestling with your troubles yet failing to find the needed solution?

Now think about this, where in this world can you ever find lasting peace and happiness? Most probably you would give up the search for pure happiness and settle down with a clever taunting remark that such a place still exists, in the mind at least.

So, how do you go about your life that is continually peppered with adversities? The Bible teaches us how children of God must view the problems they struggle with day by day. From the truth found in the Bible, all of us can learn how to deal correctly with frustrations and how to practice prudence in order to enjoy life somehow, with relative ease and contentment.

Universal truth, unchanging fact
All of us must understand basically that in the present life there are things that we human beings can not change. One that is relevant to the present inquiry is the fact that happiness and suffering do not exist in isolation to each other – by and large they do co-exist throughout life. Pain and suffering exist vis-à-vis with comfort and happiness, as good and evil are both present in this life. Neither of them can be deeply understood without knowledge about each of them. Each one of this distinct feelings is recognized and appreciated with due consideration of its opposite sensation.

There is no gainsaying the fact that both good things and bad things practically happen to all people – whether they are good or bad. And even among us who are members of the Church of Christ both experiences of happiness and sadness interchangeably fill our life. We are not immune to such variety of exposures. Therefore, what we need to learn is how we ought to deal with both experiences with prudence and profound understanding.

But, while other people would usually complain about their vicissitudes in life, we find ourselves able to cope with such uncertainties through the guiding words of the Holy Scriptures. This is because we have adopted quite a different way of looking at things and events that occur every step of the way. The Bible is our best and ultimate source of guidance and inspiration as to how to deal with and respond to the various experiences we have in life.

So, why are tribulations and problems seen by the people of God in a way very different from that by which others view it? What is their belief regarding the various kinds of suffering they experiences in life? Writing to the Christians in Rome, Apostle Paul declared this:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28, New King James Version)

All things work together for good. That is the key to understanding and accepting the present realities of life. “All things” refers to practically anything – people and evernts – that affects us, whether in a positive or in a negative way. These are the things that produce happy and sad feelings within us. These are those that fuel our reactions that are later on judged by others as either right or wrong, or maybe as either acceptable or unacceptable, as the case may be.

However, the Bible says that those who love God and are called by Him, that is, those who belong to the true Church (Col. 3:15, 1:18; I John 5:3) are undaunted or unmoved in the face of such adversities. For them, all things work together for good and in fulfillment of God’s sovereign purpose. The one best thing for us to do, therefore, is to consistently and unconditionally surrender to the will of God as explicitly stated in the Holy Scriptures (Ps. 100:2-3; I John 2:3).

But, some people view this biblical truth as apparently paradoxical and absurd. For indeed, how and why would the pain of tribulations ever work for the good of those who suffer them? In response to this, we quote the Bible as saying:

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5, NKJV)

Here, Apostle Paul explains to us that all things work together for the good of God’s children who love Him. The apostle does not assert this in favor of just any individual and regardless of the latter’s response to feelings of comfort or discomfort in life. He emphasizes that tribulations or troubles produce perseverance, which in turn produces character, and which finally produces hope. And those who have hope, the apostle concludes, are not disappointed, having received the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Therefore, only those not gifted with the Holy Spirit (or not counted among God’s children) are prone to the feeling of frustration and hopelessness.

Trials and tribulations are inevitable
Trials and tribulations are practically part of man’s life. Whether they are welcome or not, they just inevitably come and therefore, our pains and sufferings are not to be construed as necessary evil – but as merely natural occurrences – as it is clearly understood by the enlightened servants of God.

But, why won’t God rid the present life of pains and sufferings instead? He definitely will, but will only do it in His own time and according to His sovereign purpose and design. Apostle Paul declares that God will “… give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (II Thess. 1:7, Ibid.). So, the pains caused by troubles in life will surely end at God’s appointed time. We hope to find rest from our troubles when our Lord Jesus Christ is finally revealed from heaven. Not right now, as we would probably have wished it to be, but when the Lord comes, on the day of Judgment.

This is why, as members of the Church of Christ, we boast even in the face of tribulations. For, after having endured them, we will be given respite or relief for our tired and weary souls. This heavenly comfort that will be granted to those who suffered tribulations was vividly presented in the Book of Revelation, which says:

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know’. So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’.” (Rev. 7:13-17, Ibid.)

The Book of Revelation in which is recorded the last things that are bound to happen says that those who will be given rest from their labors are those who have “come out of the great tribulation.” These are the people of God who will have emerged victorious against the painful effects of their troubles in life. They shall eventually rest from their sufferings and will be rewarded with the kind of life that follows a new order, that is, a life completely devoid of hunger, thirst, and tears. There will be no more pain and no more death by then, where God and Jesus Christ will dwell with them in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1-4). This biblical truth should give us consolation while we are still agonizing here on earth, so that we may triumphantly overcome trials and tribulations.

The right response to correction
Feelings of agony and emotional pain also come into our lives as a punishment from the Lord, a way by which we are being persuaded to live righteously. Such pains come as a corrective punishment. If a servant of God suffers as a consequence of his misdeeds, this will still redound to his own benefit. How? In Hebrews, it is stated clearly:

“When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.” (Heb. 12:11, Today’s English Version)

True indeed to our own experiences, when we are being punished (for having done wrong), we feel most uncomfortable emotionally because of fear and guilt; deep inside we feel the pain that is inflicted on us because we have violated God’s commandments. We sadly receive the corresponding discipline for our errors. Naturally, such punishments never produce joyful feelings but bring both physical and emotional pain. But, after having paid the price for the sins we might have committed, “the peaceful reward of a righteous life” follows. Notice that this applies only to “those who have been disciplined” or to those who have learned their precious lessons from the unpleasant experiences.

So, when God’s people have deeply understood the meaning and purpose of God’s punishment, and have made the appropriate response, they reap the fruits of a righteous life. Why can’t one appreciate God’s corrective punishment then?

What we only need to do is to look far ahead of us to see what it is that the Lord is preparing for us, so that we will benefit when we are subjected to rebuke or correction. To further appreciate the purpose of God’s punishment to His erring servants, we need to learn another lesson. The Bible says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17, NKJV).

Corrective punishment is not by itself evil. It is good as it affords one who commits error the chance to acknowledge his fault and to plead guilty before God, and consequently produce change in his ways to receive forgiveness. Punishment is not a thing to be despised owing to the noble purpose for which it is divinely applied. It calls our attention to what God requires us to do. Punishments meted out to correct us should therefore be appreciated as they work together for the good of those who truly love the Lord and learned from them.

God Almighty said, “I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins” (Rev. 3:19, TEV). Such words must serve as the source of our comfort and hope. Clearly, God loves those whom He corrects. He made it very clear that He wants His children to be zealous and to be repentant. So, those who have learned their lessons from God’s corrective punishment do not rebel or resent it. On the contrary, far from being demoralized, they even gain strength and inspiration from it, knowing that the love and forgiveness of the Lord is at hand. The right response, therefore, is to surrender completely to God’s sovereign will, to seek His mercy and forgiveness, and to be more enthusiastic and zealous in serving Him (II Chr. 7:14; Isa. 1:18).

While it shouldn’t discourage us if we experience chastening because or our wrongdoings, it would turn worse for us when God would cease to rectify us; it would mean that He no longer loves us and, therefore, by allowing us to continue in our sins, we will be finally condemned when Jesus Christ comes. By then, forgiveness will be too late.

Trials as the test of faith
Some of us may view trials in life as very unpleasant and undesirable – unwelcome events indeed. But, this should not be the case. Something good comes after the people of God have endured trials. By going through trials, they are eventually led to perfection. Apostle Paul says that “… when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3-4, TEV)

Indeed, trials are essential in our life for us to be brought to perfection. But, this purpose is fulfilled only if we are faithful and obedient to God, not departing from His commandments (I John 5:3). When being tested, therefore, we get the chance to prove our faith in God by enduring the tests of faith all the way. Job says:

“But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.” (Job 23:10-12, NKJV)

In times of trials, it is important for us to find out not how we can avoid the pain, but rather, how we can put our faith and hope together to bear the tests of our faith. After this, we shall emerge as pure gold – this means our trials will have led us to perfection. Remember that God expects us to remain faithful to Him even when we are under pressure due to various circumstances. Note that Job remained faithful to God despite the severe hardships and fierce trials he went through, and so, he was blessed.

Drawing back leads to misfortune
While trials are for our own good and while we just need to understand their nature and purpose so that we can adopt the right outlook and react positively, we will suffer misfortunes if we transgress God’s commandments and do not hold on to a righteous life. That means, if we do not renew our life toward perfection and spiritual maturity, we would not be spared by the hand of the Lord. (Ezek. 33:12).

The Bible tells us that children of God will also suffer misfortune should they draw back because God is not pleased with them who fail to live according to the faith:

For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:37-39, NKJV)

While the Bible testifies that all things work together for the good of those called by God, drawing back from Him produces negative consequences. Worst among these, drawing back leads one to perdition. Since God does not want us to perish, He commands us to turn away from sinning and from drawing back from Him. God Almighty says:

“I will forgive the sins he has committed, and he will live because he had done what is right and good.” (Ezek. 33:16, TEV)

God loves those who have turned away from their sins and have completely renewed their lives. This is right and good, and those who do this shall be forgiven of their sins. God will no longer count their sins against them and, for this, they shall surely live.

The Almighty God truly loves us. He wants us to live or to be saved. While it is true that He allows us to suffer trials and tribulations, He does this for a purpose that will benefit us in the end. So, during times of trials, He even guides us so that all things will finally be working for our own good. He disciplines not because He rejects us but in order to correct us and lead us back to Him.

Never lose hope whatever our experiences in this life would be. Let us always keep in mind: “All things work together for the good of those called by God.”