The book of Hebrews points out that many times people undergo suffering and persecution as a result of their faith. In chapter 11 there is an extensive list of the things people suffered in order to remain faithful to God. If the people of old had to suffer as a result of their faith, it should come as no surprise that the followers of Christ often have to endure suffering today.
When we face suffering and persecution we can take comfort from the fact that those who have preceded us were able to overcome similar circumstances. Hebrews likens them to spectators in a huge stadium watching us as we run the same race they have already won. We can win the same way they did. Chapter 12, verses 1 through 3 read, “Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.”
How did the people of faith who have gone before us overcome the troubles they faced? There are two parts to the answer. Chapter 11 tells us that they left their old life behind in order to go where God told them to. We also must cast aside everything which will keep us from running the course. Secondly, they constantly remembered the promises God had made them. They trusted Him and through eyes of faith they could see the fulfillment of the promises.
The greatest example of all is Christ. He endured even the cross in order to obtain the joy which lay beyond the cross. We, too, can overcome suffering and persecution if we keep our focus on Christ and the promises we have in Him.
But why do we have to suffer at all? Why should our faith in Christ bring trouble on us? Is there a purpose for it? Verses 4 through 13 explain. “You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children. Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”
From this passage we see that there are at least four benefits in suffering and hardship.
One benefit of suffering for our faith in Christ is that it proves we belong to God’s household. If we did not follow Christ, then we would not have to suffer for it. Conversely, if we never suffer for Christ, if we never experience discipline because of our faith, then it proves we are not part of the household of faith. We do not belong to Christ.
At times, it may seem that the discipline we undergo as a part of God’s household is exceedingly harsh. Yet one of the purposes for it is to allow us to share in God’s holiness. Some of us need more correction than others. It is harder to remove wickedness and unholiness from some of us than others. Therefore, some may have to undergo greater hardship than others in order to obtain the same results. The Apostle Peter also writes of the trials followers of Christ experience. “These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV) Just as Jesus had to endure humiliation and the cross in order to receive joy and exaltation it may be necessary for us to suffer in order to receive praise glory and honor. Without the suffering to refine us, that is to burn away the impurities in our lives, we would be unfit for the exaltation God wants to give us.
A third benefit of the discipline of suffering is that it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace. Actions have consequences. For example, if a child has never been taught how to study, he will have difficulty doing his schoolwork and will not receive good marks when he is tested. Similarly, if a child has never been taught how to act in social settings, he will be embarrassed when invited to a dinner or formal function. He will not know what to do or when to do it. Proper behavior requires training. It requires practice and repetition until the desired behavior becomes ingrained.
The same holds true in spiritual things. Living righteous and peaceful lives does not come naturally. It requires discipline and training. It takes effort and the willingness to be corrected. But the result is well worth the pain and discomfort we experience during the training. If we have undergone the training and discipline in this life, we will not be embarrassed when we stand before our righteous and holy God.
A fourth benefit from the discipline of suffering is that it heals. God does not intend for suffering and persecution to destroy us. Instead, just as a doctor must sometimes operate on a patient in order to heal him, God must sometimes allow us to go through trouble in order to cure us of our spiritual illnesses.
Human fathers discipline their children as they think best. Sometimes they do so inappropriately because they do not know all the facts or give way to their tempers. But we can be sure of this: when God disciplines us, it is always for our good. Do we have enough faith to accept His discipline?