Featured Why does God Allow Christians to Suffer

I agree that sin leads to the consequences of sin which leads to death. We all need forgiveness and that Christ paid the penalty for our sins thereby forgiving our debt of sin.

The scripture also tells us that Christ learned obedience through suffering.

Hebrews 5:8

 

Not sure how this contributes to the conversation.

Romans 15:1 tells that we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please ourselves.

Then is a conjunction referring back to the previous chapter. Chapter 14 is speaking of eating meats and there was a dispute of some kind that was not entirely settled doctrine.

The word infirmities according to Strong's concordance refers "to error resulting from weakness of mind." Thayer's and Vines both agree to this definition.

Romans 14:1 would suggest then that these that are strong are strong in faith and they ought to then help those weak in the faith who may error or have errored do to this weakness of mind. Specifically it was regarding the eating of meats.

The strong therefore should refrain from eating if it might cause someone weak in the faith and understanding to err.

 

As you say the context continues in Chapter 15.

 

So, how does this impact Hebrews 5:8? Were we are told that Christ learned obedience through suffering. These are God's words as well.

 

Agreed context is extremely important in any discussion. When I read a scripture, I read it in its specific context particularly and from the general context I have developed to date. There is other evidence in the Bible as well that we as Christians learn obedience through suffering.

Questions come to mind though, obedience to what is one? Context explains the answer to that.

Hebrews 5:1 speaks of high priests being ordained for men that they may have understanding in spiritual things those things that are of God, such as mercy, faith, hope, love, kindness, peace, etc.

verse 2 This understanding that God imparts leads to compassion one of the fruits of God's Spirit. and this comes from realizing through the Spirit of God that a high priest also has infirmities - this word refers to bodily weaknesses and frailty which is the human condition.

Already you can begin to see how it is that Christ learned obedience through suffering. Christ had a full measure of God's Spirit and knew his very human physical weakness and frailty. Christ had humility, he knew his condition, and Christ knew he was to be the High Priest for men before God.

verse 3 ,A high Priest offers sacrifice for the people and for himself. In this case no sacrifice was required for Christ who had no sin, but Christ's sacrifice was required for the people and Christ is the perfect sacrifice for all people.

verse 4 This honor must be given which it was by God the Father to Christ.

verse 5 This makes it clearer that Christ was given this honor by the Father

verse 6 After the order of Melchisedec referring back to the time of Abraham before the law was given at Mount Sinai

verse 7 Christ prayed strongly to the Father that he might be saved from this great suffering. Christ was in a physical body and he knew the great suffering that would come to pass. Regardless of this human frailty Christ desired to be subject to the Father and to do what was good for mankind.

The context shows us how Christ learned obedience in suffering. It also shows that we are being obedient to God our Father as we trust God who gives us spiritual gifts and spiritual understanding.

One can continue with the context, but I'll stop here.

 

I agree sin causes the suffering. Through suffering we as Christians are humbled, brought closer to God, can learn empathy, compassion, love, and learn to act in faith. Suffering leads to obedience in this way because we come to act in faith and love.

 

What I was referring to is John 3:34. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him. Christ has full access to the Holy Spirit where as Christians are given the Spirit by measure.

 

I moved this topic to another post regarding the nature of the spirit. I don't want to dismiss the question though.

Why God allows suffering is a question we hear so often especially from those grieving and possibly disillusioned by circumstances. God makes many promises through out his word and we can know that God is faithful. In suffering there is much that we can learn. Suffering is brought on by sins, but God allows it. We are told that God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). So suffering serves a good purpose.