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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Learning Obedience Through Suffering, #2
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:8)
But it appears that only during life on the earth can the knowledge of the Lord, perfect trust in and obedience to the Father, be wrought in the believer's soul.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Offspring of God. Christ is filled with the Father. He is the Word from eternity. He always does the Father's will. His Spirit and Character are flawless. He is the express Image of the Father's Person.
Yet even Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering during His life on the earth.
If Jesus, who is altogether above us in every way, had to learn obedience through suffering on the earth, it is no wonder we who are completely undone in our sins and rebellion are chastened continually. We are sent tribulation after tribulation. Our Father in Heaven is disciplining us. He is teaching us obedience to Himself.
There are three primary realms of disobedience in the believer: the love of the world, the love of sin, and the love of self. These three loves are in us, and this is why every one of us is deeply rebellious against our Father in Heaven. God deals with each of these three areas by means of suffering.
The love of the world that abides in us presses us continually to disobey the Lord. The world calls to us with a loud, enticing voice. The world projects to our minds a glamorous future filled with delights of all kinds. But it is a siren call inviting us to the rocks of destruction, to the bleached bones of those who have succumbed before us.
Jesus commands us through the Apostle John:
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15)
But many find obedience to Christ so difficult and the world so attractive!
Therefore God pours tribulation (chastening) on us in order that we may not be condemned with the world.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (I Corinthians 11:32)
Notice how the Lord calls us to Himself, "In me ye might have peace." In the world we shall have tribulation but in Jesus we shall have peace.
It is human nature to turn away from what is painful and to seek joy and peace. By sending tribulation on us God causes us to turn away from the world and to find rest in His Son. We learn obedience through the things we suffer.
Should we get married? Should we work in the world? Should we participate in the world? Many times it is God's will that we marry and participate in the world.
But then we run into trouble in the flesh. There is incompatibility. There is anxiety. There is that boss who is perverse. Our Eden is plagued with weeds, mosquitoes, and serpents. Trouble!
To be continued.