Why Do Good People Suffer?

Why do true believers in Jesus Christ suffer afflictions and persecutions? Are they not exempt from all sufferings because of their salvation? Such questions have perplexed believers throughout the ages. The entire book of Job also wrestled with these questions. Romans 5:3-5 gives us the answers.

Romans 5-8 teaches about the full assurance of our ultimate salvation, which is our glorification, that is, the redemption of our bodies. It is absolutely certain that the justified will be glorified. This is our sure hope. So Paul writes in Romans 5 that having been justified by faith, we have peace with God, we are in God’s presence, and we triumphantly praise God. We now can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. This hope of our glorification is the dominant theme in Romans 5:1-11.

Rejoicing Greatly in Suffering

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings” (v. 3). As believers, we rejoice in God, who creates out of nothing and raises the dead; God, with whom nothing is impossible; God, who cannot lie but who keeps every one of his promises. Paul writes, “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Rom. 8:30). It is certain that the justified shall be glorified; therefore, we can rejoice in the hope of our coming glory, even in the midst of any tribulations we experience in this life.

The mission of God’s Son is to bring many sons to glory. God has chosen us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. God’s election was not intended to make us rich, healthy, politically connected, and famous in this life, as some fraudulent ministers assert. Rather, in this life we are sure to suffer.

Paul tells us those who are justified rejoice, and the Greek expression tells us it is a continuous rejoicing, even during trials. We can do so because our God has guaranteed to make us glorious. We not only triumphantly praise, but we also rejoice greatly in our present sufferings.

The Greek word for affliction or tribulation is thlipsis. It has to do with applying pressure on our soul and body-the type of pressure that is applied to grapes to get juice or olives to extract oil. Gethsemane means “olive press” because there was a press in the garden to squeeze olives for their oil. But it also was the place where Jesus experienced intense pressure on his soul.

Christians experience all forms of suffering but especially suffering for the sake of our Christian faith, as millions of believers in other countries experience every day. These sufferings include sickness, accidents, broken relationships, divorce, enmity of children, enmity of fellow workers, confiscation of properties, slander, and martyrdom.

Jesus himself told us to expect such sufferings: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, because in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12). However, in a similar passage, he warns, “Woe to you when men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets” (Luke 6:26). Such a reaction could indicate one is a false prophet; popular ministers are often frauds. Jesus elsewhere encouraged his disciples: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). At the end of his first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas visited some of the cities they had gone to earlier, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said” (Acts 14:21-22).

Paul often spoke about suffering in his epistles. To the Philippians he wrote, “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil. 1:29). Using the word charizomai (“it has been granted to you”), Paul says these Philippians have received two gifts: the gift of believing in Christ and the gift of suffering for him. He tells the Thessalonian believers not to be unsettled by trials: “You know quite well that we were destined for them” (1 Thess. 3:3). After recounting his trials to Timothy he writes, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Real suffering is our destiny in this life, if we are true Christians. Yet because this idea is not popular in America, most ministers will not preach it. They refuse to preach what Paul and Jesus are teaching us.

When we speak of tribulations, we are not speaking about minor inconveniences like a headache or traffic problems, but about serious issues. Paul alludes to such severe trials: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered'” (Rom. 8:35-36). Elsewhere he lists some of the problems he personally faced:

Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (2 Cor. 11:23-28)

Compared to Paul, what have we suffered? Yet it is Paul who says we rejoice in sufferings also. Those who preach, “Receive Jesus and all your problems will disappear. You will be healthy, wealthy, and famous,” are false witnesses of the gospel. In fact, they manifest the characteristics of a cult. The true gospel declares that true believers will experience sufferings, trials, and severe pressures in this life. And Paul asserts that we can rejoice exultantly, glory, and triumphantly praise in our tribulations.

Notice seven things about our rejoicing in tribulations:

1. We should not murmur during tribulations, as the Israelites did.
2. We are not to suffer stoically, always maintaining a stiff upper lip.
3. We are not to fall into commiseration and self-pity, calling attention to our misery.
4. We are not rejoicing in spite of suffering.
5. We are not rejoicing because we enjoy suffering as masochists do.
6. We are not rejoicing in the midst of tribulations.
7. Paul is saying that we rejoice greatly because of sufferings. This is an entirely different idea, to rejoice because of sufferings appointed and governed by the Father. Though these sufferings are bad, God brings good out of them.

In the same epistle Paul writes, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Our sufferings prove that we are children of God. Only the righteous experience this kind of suffering because the world, the devil, and the false church all hate the true people of God.

“We rejoice in tribulations.” Note the use of the plural. If we are true believers, we will face many tribulations in our lives. Read the book of Job. One after another, sufferings came for him. Note also Paul’s use of the present tense, meaning we are continually rejoicing. Finally, note the word “we.” Not only the apostle, who received special spiritual endowments, but all true believers ought to rejoice in tribulations.

Do not misunderstand me. I do not naturally welcome suffering. But I understand that only children experience the loving discipline of the heavenly Father to remove evil from our inner being. Such discipline is not pleasant at the time but painful. Later on, however, this discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Having gone through it, we will share in the holiness of God, without which no one shall see God (see Heb. 12:4-14).

As we recognize the value of discipline, we will therefore be able to embrace it and even rejoice greatly in it. Paul gives us reasons to rejoice greatly in tribulations. The first reason is knowledge: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, knowing . . . ” (v. 3). The Greek word is eidotes, “knowing and continually knowing.” Christians are educated people. They are students of the Bible, which reveals to us God’s purpose and holy will. Christian ministers, therefore, are to preach and teach the Bible, not psychology, politics, science, or sociology. “Preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2). They are to equip believers to face difficulties with the knowledge of God’s good purpose in their sufferings.

In the parable of the sower, the stony soil people represent foolish people who refuse to spend time understanding the gospel. They are defined by their feelings, not by using their minds. Such people receive the word with joy but they are rootless. When trouble or persecution comes because of the gospel, they quickly fall away. They do not persevere to the end because they do not know God’s word nor do they want to. It is too much for these false Christians to spend five minutes in the Bible. But true Christians, like the good soil people, will know the gospel and God’s will, design, and purpose for them from daily reading God’s holy infallible, written word. “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matt. 13:23; Luke 8:15).

Murmuring Christians are foolish and mindless. They will not get up in the morning to spend time in the word of God. They refuse to exercise their minds to know the Scripture. When trouble comes, they cannot resist temptation and say, “It is written.”

But true Christians know that through tribulations God works for our eternal good. They know that tribulations initiate a process that results in our sanctification-the beautification of our heart, which is a prerequisite to glorification.

God refines his people through tribulations. Like a silversmith who purifies silver by heating it in a crucible, he purifies us through fiery trials to make us holy and blameless, fit for heaven. God declares, “In the whole land . . . two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God'” (Zech. 13:8-9).

The psalmist also spoke often of God’s use of affliction in our lives. In Psalm 119 he writes, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word” (v. 67); “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (v. 71); “I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous; in faithfulness [that is, in covenant love] you have afflicted me” (v. 75); “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (v. 92). In the midst of his affliction, this man was looking at God’s word-reading it, delighting in it, and being comforted by it.

Paul says we can rejoice also in our sufferings and then he gives four reasons: suffering produces endurance; endurance produces proof of character; proof of character produces hope; and hope does not disappoint “because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”

Suffering Produces Endurance

The pressure of tribulation produces endurance in God’s people. Tribulations reveal our impatience and produce patience. Nothing else can produce in us the ability to endure under pressure and confess Christ, even at the point of martyrdom. Nothing else can develop our spiritual muscle power.

Tribulations destroy human self-confidence and pride, causing us to rely on God instead, so that we will say, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). Paul writes, “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9).

Suppose we are not reading the Bible or praying regularly. If we start to experience troubles, we will read the word more often, pray more frequently, seek Christian fellowship more earnestly, worship more regularly, and witness continually. Tribulations produce constancy in our Christian walk. We experience a kind of stress test that, by God’s grace, we pass. That is why Peter, in chains, could sleep in jail; Stephen, though being stoned, could pray for his killers as he saw the Lord; the three Hebrew young men could walk with the Lord in the fiery furnace; Daniel could sleep with the hungry lions; and Paul, beaten, chained, and thrust into the innermost cell, could sing, pray, and write epistles exhorting the saints to joyfully endure hardship like a good soldier.

If we sing and pray when we are going through tribulations, we know we are getting stronger. Endurance produced by tribulations helps us to know we are true saints.

We may testify we are Christians. But God tests our testimony as he tested Abraham. He was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, his only son, his beloved son, the son of promise, and he passed the test. God said to him, “Do not lay a hand on the boy . . . Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Gen. 22:12).

Endurance Produces Proof of Character

Paul says endurance produces godliness, or proof of character. Endurance produces the state of being qualified. Paul writes about God-accredited, God-certified servants (1 Thess. 2:4).

Endurance produces proof that we are of good character. It produces godliness (Heb. 12:10) that we may share in God’s holiness. We have a harvest of righteousness and peace as we endure God’s discipline.

James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). The testing of our faith develops endurance, but it takes time. God’s work in us through trials is finished when we sing, pray, thank God, and rejoice in the midst of tribulations. His purpose is that we may be mature; God does not want immaturity. We like to remain infants to be fed, washed, and taken care of. But God wants his children to reflect his image, to have his holy character. James continues, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). He will be glorified, in other words. Sanctification even through tribulations is the necessary prerequisite and prelude to our glorification.

Proof of Character Produces Hope

In our natural thought we would expect that suffering would destroy our hope of being glorified, but that is not true. Tribulations, in fact, strengthen our hope by weaning us from ourselves and the world and turning us to God. Tribulations make us heaven-focused. They cure our worldliness-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of things of this world that we possess. Instead of boasting of possessions and ourselves, we boast in God. The things of this world become strangely dim through the ministry of God-ordained and God-controlled sufferings.

In the pitch darkness of tribulations, true Christians see the glory star in the heavens very clearly, which guides us to the third heaven, to paradise, to Abraham’s bosom, to God, even as the star guided the three wise men to Bethlehem to Jesus to worship him.

Romans 4 taught us that Abraham believed against hope and on the basis of hope that God is able to perform what he had promised. Proven character brought about by tribulations and endurance produces a strong hope-a hope of our future glorification, not a hope of getting rich and famous here and now.

Paul explains, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:17-18). Those who are being sanctified through sufferings enjoy a greater hope of their coming glory. Peter states, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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 Pet. 1:6-7).

Hope Does Not Disappoint

This hope of our coming glorification does not disappoint or shame us, for it is certain; it is not an illusion. It does not shame us even in this life. That is why Paul declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jews, then for the Gentile” (Rom. 1:16). Paul wrote to Timothy from prison, “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or ashamed of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God who has saved us and called us to a holy life” (2 Tim. 1:8).

Do you expect any modern preacher to say, “Join with me in suffering”? Yet that is what Paul was telling Timothy. He continues: “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” (v. 12). We must acknowledge that the reason we do not witness to Jesus Christ is that we are ashamed of the Bible, of Jesus, of miracles, and of heaven. (PGM) We have accepted the thesis of the unbelieving world that intelligent people will not believe in God. Paul goes on: “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (v. 16).

Our hope is sure and it will not disappoint us. Isaiah spoke about this certainty: “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed” (Isa. 28:16; quoted also in Rom. 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet. 2:6). That stone is Jesus Christ. Hope in people, in a country, or in a politician regularly disappoints us. But the one who trusts in God and in his promises will never be ashamed.

Paul therefore writes, “And we, who with unveiled faces all see the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). That is sanctification, here and now, in this life. Paul says as we behold the Lord, especially in the Scriptures, a deep, transforming work is done in us and we are progressively transformed into his likeness. In other words, even now through the process of sanctification we are being glorified as we await our final glorification.

Elsewhere Paul says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporal but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17). We must not misunderstand Paul’s words. He speaks of “light” troubles, which can include martyrdom, which he ultimately experienced. “Momentary” does not necessarily mean brief-our trials can last our entire lifetime. But compared to eternity, anything we suffer here is momentary and compared to glory it is light. That is why our hope in God does not disappoint us. Troubles, pain, disease, and broken relationships all are designed by God to wean us away from trusting in this world, that we may focus on our eternal home.

God Has Poured Out His Love

Another reason for our rejoicing in tribulations that “God has poured out his love into our hearts” (v. 5). This is not speaking about our love for God, but God’s love for us. God has poured it out in our hearts. It is not a theoretical action. The love of God is poured out into our hearts once for all in a mighty effusion that fills our whole being, affecting our mind, will, and emotions. This outpouring of God’s love into our hearts in turn creates a responsive love in us for God and his people.

Therefore we glory in tribulations because God’s love fills our hearts now and functions as God’s signature guarantee that we will be glorified. Not only does the Father love us (Rom. 5:5, 9; 8:39), but the Son also loves us. Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:35). The answer is, No one. Paul says this love of Christ powerfully motivates and compels us (2 Cor. 5:14). Not only that, but the Holy Spirit also loves us. Paul writes, “I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Rom. 15:30). And to young timid Timothy Paul exhorts, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7). He is speaking about the Holy Spirit.

Christians are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three persons of the Godhead love us, and this love registers in hearts. We know it. This love is not theoretical; it is experiential and existential. So we rejoice in tribulations.

This love guarantees our ultimate and final salvation, which is our glorification. This love of God to us is the spring of our love to God. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). This love controls, captivates, and capacitates us. It enables us to say, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). It empowers us to rejoice in tribulations, even to the point of cheerfully enduring martyrdom. By this mighty effusion of God’s love into our hearts, we are being hugged by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We are being kissed and caressed as dearly loved children. We hear words of love spoken to our hearts. God’s love in abundance is poured out into us, and from us it flows out to others. It has to, for our hearts are not like the Dead Sea. As God’s love flows into us, it must flow out, bearing witness to the world about Jesus Christ and his saving work in behalf of us. As Jesus said concerning the baptism in the Holy Spirit, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38).

As God works in us, we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:13). His love does not trickle into our hearts drop by drop; it comes in as a flood upon the dry, parched land of our heart. It is poured out copiously, lavishly, in abundance, in profusion even as the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost: “In the last days God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people'” (Acts 2:17). Ekcheô is an important word meaning “outpouring in abundance.” We see it also in Acts 2:33: “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Not only was the Holy Spirit poured out on the Jewish people, but on the Gentiles also: “The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (Acts 10:45). The word is used again in Titus 3:6: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” I hope we will seek the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13). When God pours out his Holy Spirit upon us, the Spirit takes control of our mind, will, and emotions, that we may live a joyful and triumphant life.

This love is not based on study of theology or the history of Christ’s death on the cross. These things are important to study. But this outpouring of love is an experience every true Christian can have in his being now. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says it is a direct activity of God, not a deduction that God loves me; it is an experience. It is experiential and it is the highest form of assurance that we are children of God. And so we shall be like him when we shall see him.¹

Poured Out by the Holy Spirit

This love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts, which can never be taken away from us, which fills our hearts to overflowing and creates in us a responsive love to God and God’s people, is distributed to us by the Holy Spirit. It is what happens when a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is what happened on the Day of Pentecost: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4).

This is not just the privilege of the one hundred and twenty; every believer can experience it. On the Day of Pentecost the crowd asked the disciples, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38). Paul speaks of this as well: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:13-14).

In Acts 19 we find a historical example of how it happened. When Paul came to Ephesus, he found twelve disciples whom he thought were Christians but were not. They had only heard of John’s baptism.

So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:3-6)

So first they heard the true gospel from Paul and were baptized. But subsequently they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

When a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and given the deposit and firstfruits of the Holy Spirit once-for-all, our final salvation is guaranteed. Paul writes, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor. 1:21-22). Our glorification is guaranteed. We can make the same connection from Romans 8:23: “Not only so, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

We have many reasons to rejoice in tribulations. This Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we shall be saved, come what may. People can arrest us or kill us for preaching what the Bible says. But we can rejoice, knowing that we have the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee that we shall be saved, that is, that we shall enjoy our final salvation, that we shall be glorified, that we shall be like Christ, that we shall see God, that we shall be blessed with the ultimate blessing of the beatific vision of God.

Christianity is not merely theoretical. As we go through the sufferings, the Spirit of God ministers to us in our hearts that we sing in the midst of troubles. Jesus says, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to him” (John 14:21). What a revelation! What a manifestation of God into our inner being that completely satisfies us and makes us happy! The person who cannot be made happy by Jesus is not a true Christian. It is God’s business to make us happy. Our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. Jesus also tells us, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). This glorious truth should cheer us up. This Holy Spirit releases love and joy to our hearts. Again, Paul writes, “You became imitators of us and the Lord in spite of severe suffering. You welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6). He distributes to our hearts every grace we need, including love, peace, joy, longsuffering, patience, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, self-control.

If you are experiencing trouble and are murmuring, let me encourage you from God’s word: “Now brothers we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty welled up in generosity” (2 Cor. 8:1). When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, he grants us grace to do everything God wants us to do. Paul asserts, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:6-8). Elsewhere Paul writes, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10). That is what tribulations accomplish. They make us weak that we may look to God.

What if we are not experiencing this great love, joy, and peace? It may be because of sin in our lives. Paul warns, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed to the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). When we are set free by Christ through the gospel, we are enabled to love God and keep his commandments. But we are also free to sin. When we sin and continue to sin, we will not experience these graces of love, joy, and peace. If the Holy Spirit is grieved, how can we be happy? Read Psalms 32 and 51, where we find David’s own testimony of the misery he was in before he confessed and forsook his sins.

The kingdom of God is like the prodigal’s father’s house: there is singing, dancing, and feasting. It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. But a sinning prodigal cannot enjoy it until he repents and comes home to be greeted, embraced, kissed, hugged, and received back as a son. So let us repent and come home to the Father. Let us rejoice as children of God. Let us rejoice even in tribulations that produce our sanctification. Let us rejoice because as God’s children we know the Father’s will and purpose. Suffering produces sanctification, which is the beauty of holiness.

Without pain, we will not gain endurance; without endurance, we cannot grow in godliness; without godliness, we have no hope. Therefore, although I do not pray for sufferings, when they come, I will embrace them, and even try to rejoice because of them, knowing God’s purpose in sending them. And God has also sent the Holy Spirit, who distributes God’s love to us-his great love, his unchanging love, his everlasting love, his infinite love, controlling love, that we may endure to the end. He that endures to the end will be saved.

¹ D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Assurance: Exposition of Romans 5 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1972), 80-88.