Scripture points are shared, today, on differences appearing among and between affliction, chastisement, and suffering by Christian believers. While all believers receive the same atonement and covering from GOD through Jesus Christ, all are not upon the same level of authority, duty, personal maturity, obligation, and privilege. There may be differences in the character, nature, purpose, quality and substance of our life experiences. Along with the divine standards that counsel believers not to make public displays for self-promotion and vainglory, the sacred principle is in effect that the gifts we are granted and provided are in accordance with specific works we are expected to do. Certainly differences in our commitments, cultural awareness, emotional and psychological strength, prayer life, and spiritual preparation also result in believers having diverse experiences within the same community of faith. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Naomi” (Level 1 with 135 points, a member since June 21, 2016) posted the following:
Why does it seem like God loves some people more than others?
some people never go through hardships.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. (1st Samuel 16: 4-13, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: What True Believers Do (07/14/2016); To Him That Hath... (07/08/2016); Freedom and Godly Independence (07/04/2016); GOD Knowing the Price? (06/15/2016); A Culture of Judgment? (03/20/2014); Beyond Punishment (03/21/2014); Continuously Tested (12/31/2013); Chosen To Serve As Prophets (01/01/2014)
“Naomi”, it is not that all believers do not endure losses, pain, or suffering; it is that most do not make it the major focus of their conversation and dealing with others; (in this sense) believers suffer in silence, and do not let it show. An inarguable declaration of divine love for the full Creation and all living creatures, particularly those separated from GOD through the operations of sin, was made by Jesus Christ dying on the cross. Human error that results from awareness and self-will being dominated by the operations of sin as well as by dependency upon carnal, material and social elements of reality continues to deny, distort and misrepresent many aspects of sacred truth. Jesus once said, Ye do err not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God (see Matthew 22: 29, King James Version, KJV). The understanding you have expressed here is the same as that recorded in the Book of Job as having been uttered before GOD by one among the holy angels. To correctly recognize the many operations of divinity that invisibly exist as a cause or precondition to outcomes we all may see requires discernment (ability to examine ones own sacred content and that within attitudes, events, messages, other persons, purposes, etc.). Those who are “born again” must “grow up again” by experiencing “growing pains,” life challenges, and even suffering upon the earth. Through operations of the Holy Spirit, believers receive anointing and deposits from the inseparable aspects of divine makeup that include holy boldness, faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Thereby, believers are equipped and grounded to meet adversity, to go on to become mature and “ripe” for harvest, and to be taken up by the Lord at his appearing (we say, Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming). In that sacred event, our transformation to existing as “perfected” and eternal companions to divinity will be completed. Consider again how some of this is stated in the language of the Bible:
(1.) Ezekiel 33: 15-20, KJV: 15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. 20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
(2.) Malachi 3: 14-18, KJV: 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
(3.) Matthew 6: 16-18, KJV: 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
(4.) 2nd Timothy 3: 12, KJV: 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
There is far more that to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (5.) 1st Peter 4: 14-16, KJV: 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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