Chastening and Sufferings

Chastening and Sufferings

“It is for chastening that you endure sufferings . . . .” Heb. 12:7. “It is for your education that you have to endure sufferings.” (Swedish tr.) In other words, we endure sufferings so that we shall be brought up, or educated. God shows this care to true sons. A work is being done in me when I am chastened. This is of the greatest value for me during my life on earth. My works gain quality as I am being transformed.

When we read that all things work together for good to those who love God, it is written in the context of being conformed to the image of His Son. Rom. 8:28-29. For us who love God, the greatest thing is to be conformed to the image of His Son. Only if we see this as the greatest thing can we understand that all things work for our good.

This upbringing and being conformed cannot transpire without sufferings. This is the way that Jesus Himself had to go in the days of His flesh. He was perfected through sufferings, and He learned obedience by the things He suffered. Heb. 2:10, 5:8.

When Peter wanted Jesus to draw back from the sufferings, he received the reply, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Matt. 16:21-23. The human mind is intent on drawing back from sufferings, but the person who has a mind for the things of God has a mind to suffer. Satan always turns up during the sufferings to get you to complain and draw back. If you do that, you will remain the same person. You are drawing back from your education, from being conformed to Jesus’ image. You cannot by any other way that is easier or wider be transformed from being human to being godly. If you seek another way, you will end up in false liberty. Thousands upon thousands of Christians have been led astray by preachers who strive to make following Jesus as glorious and as easy as possible.

But if you have the understanding that you have to endure sufferings for your education and transformation, and you are so humble that you are willing to be educated, then life is valuable and interesting.