Why is suffering redemptive?

[arunangelo]

Suffering is redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin through His suffering. Jesus invites us to join Him in His redemptive work by allowing us to enter into His suffering (which we encounter while doing His work) (Colossians 1:24). Therefore, to be worthy of Christ we must deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24; Mark 8:34; & Luke 9:23 and 14:27). Even the personal sufferings we encounter in life when suffered with faith in Christ (which means that we believe that God will bring out of our suffering) is redeeming because it produces endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:2-3); enables us to overcome sin; and enables us to share in His life (1Peter 4:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:19-21). Suffering makes us humble; humility teaches us to rely on God; and reliance God frees us of selfishness (which is the cause of all sins). Quite often we are afraid of suffering, however we must remember that Jesus will lighten our burden (if we trust Him) (Matthew 11:30); and that the sufferings of the present is nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him (Romans 8:18).

 

[faithtransforms]

Suffering is redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin through His suffering. Jesus invites us to join Him in His redemptive work by allowing us to enter into His suffering (which we encounter while doing His work) (Colossians 1:24). Therefore, to be worthy of Christ we must deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24; Mark 8:34; & Luke 9:23 and 14:27). Even the personal sufferings we encounter in life when suffered with faith in Christ (which means that we believe that God will bring out of our suffering) is redeeming because it produces endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:2-3); enables us to overcome sin; and enables us to share in His life (1Peter 4:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:19-21). Suffering makes us humble; humility teaches us to rely on God; and reliance God frees us of selfishness (which is the cause of all sins). Quite often we are afraid of suffering, however we must remember that Jesus will lighten our burden (if we trust Him) (Matthew 11:30); and that the sufferings of the present is nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him (Romans 8:18).

Yep, I agree with this post. Paul talks about entering into the fellowship of His suffering. To me this is mostly done through the crucifixion of the flesh, ie taking up your cross. And of course, many Christians suffer intense persecution. One of the things I pray a lot is for missionaries and persecuted Christians that give their lives for Christ, that while they are being killed God will supernaturally comfort them, somehow bringing joy to their hearts that they will soon be with Jesus and that they will not feel the pain. That may sound odd, but I believe it is possible for God to do that, and it is the cry of my heart for those Christians.

But I do want to say also that the Kingdom of God is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" Romans 14:7. And in Acts 9:31 "the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,...were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost"

Suffering is a part of the Christian life, but we should not suffer for suffering's sake. It's not scriptural. I'm not implying you were saying that, I just wanted to point that out.

 

[Joe67]

The following is a wonderful testimony to go with this truth in Jesus.

Acts 5:41-42
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
KJV

Joe