Today, focus is on how suffering is part of the divine process for sinners to become like Christ. All Christians are being led out of darkness, and will encounter confusion, ignorance, opposition, and resistance. The process of GOD for salvation is also one of bestowing sacred gifts, insights, skills and tools. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “ShoeShopper2” (Level 2 with 345 points, a member since June 21, 2016) posted the following:
Why do people make the excuse "God is trying to strengthen you" when you go through something?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3: 22-33, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Genuine Spiritual Discernment? (03/27/2017); On Expecting Quick Results (11/07/2016); Spirit Content From GOD? (09/26/2016); GOD’s Way Not Equal? (07/17/2016); Sacred Knowledge and Christ (05/16/2016); To Foster Godly Sorrow (03/11/2016); That GOD Is Faithful? (08/31/2015)
“ShoeShopper2”, for a correct relationship with GOD, sinners must acquire endurance, humility, and obedience. Believers are preparing to participate in momentous and profound events. In the same way our birth as newborn babies involves many levels of pain that are not all physical, the transformation of sinners to become life companions of immortal, incorruptible divinity (we say, being born again) is accomplished by meeting challenges, struggle, suffering, and trial. In addition to sacred knowledge that systematically describes divine events, followers of Christ are instructed regarding spirit substance, and eternal purposes. Those who are “born again” must also “grow up again” and become mature vessels (i.e., offspring, children of GOD) containing inseparable spirit matter from the makeup of Deity such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Consciousness and self-will in the sinner must become redirected, and reoriented to discern, recognize, and respond to spirit substance in events, messages, oneself, other persons, the holy writings, etc. In the same way men and women in military “boot-camp” are drilled, trained to obey, and continually pressured to maintain self-discipline, restraint and vigilance, believers must practice the skills of unselfish service, and prophecy whereby they comfort, edify, and exhort one another. Just like sinners, believers will be required to go through experiences of bereavement, disappointment, hardship, persecution and suffering. Their endowment from Christ will include hope (specific godly expectations), joy, divine promises, and the whole armor of GOD. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Peter 2: 19-25, King James Version (KJV): 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
(2.) Acts 5: 29-32, KJV: 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
(3.) Revelation 20: 4-7, KJV: 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Romans 8: 14-17, KJV: 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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