Suffering: How long does God allow suffering to continue? Part 4

This is Part 4 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 5-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

The Unbeliever Will Suffer in Everlasting Fire

There are many passages that record the horrible suffering that awaits those who reject God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Luke recorded in his gospel the account Jesus told of the rich man who had been blessed on earth, but was in torments seeking to have merely a drop of water to cool his tongue, “Then he cried and said, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.‘” (Luke 16:24 NKJ) Continue reading

Suffering: How long does God allow suffering to continue? Part 3

This is Part 3 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 4-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

Suffering in Time for the Believer Will Seem Light

No suffering is pleasant. The duration of suffering is always too long and too painful! However, there are at least two truths that we should remember regarding all suffering in light of eternity. First, the Divine discipline previously discussed is designed by the love of God for our good, but it is still painful. The writer to the Hebrews wrote, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:11 NKJ) Continue reading

Suffering: How long does God allow suffering to continue? Part 2

This is Part 2 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 3-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

Christians are Warned to Stop Sinning to Avoid Suffering

Each person who put their faith in Jesus Christ receives Him, and the evidence will be seen in a life that is transforming! This process continues until God takes him home to be in heaven. If there is no fruit, then there is a question of whether he actually placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior or just intellectually understood the facts of salvation. Continue reading

Suffering: How long does God allow suffering to continue? Part 1

This is Part 1 of 6 parts answering the question, “How long does God allow suffering to continue?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 2-6 will be posted on succeeding days.

The most difficult kind of suffering is that which lasts for an extended time. It’s not hard to endure a needle shot in the arm or detention after school, because the suffering only lasts a short time. But when the symptoms of cancer linger until a painful death or the mental and emotional suffering from the loss of a child lasts for one’s life, the agony can become almost unbearable. Continue reading

Suffering: Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering? Part 4

This is Part 4 of 4 parts answering the question, “Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”

God Always Disciplines in Love

Not only is God’s motivation for discipline from love, but also how God disciplines is from His love and completed in love. The prophet Amos recorded how God disciplined Israel in love, Continue reading

Suffering: Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering? Part 3

This is Part 3 of 4 parts answering the question, “Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 4 will be posted tomorrow.

Gods Purpose in His Loving Discipline

God is always purposeful in everything He does. He will discipline as is necessary. For example, when we examine ourselves sufficiently we will not be disciplined by the Lord as Paul wrote, “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.” (1 Cor. 11:31 NKJ)  God does not want His children to be judged along with the world, “But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Cor. 11:32 NKJ) Continue reading

Suffering: Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering? Part 2

This is Part 2 of 4 parts answering the question, “Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 3-4 will be posted on succeeding days.

God Loves His Children Enough to Discipline Them

Scripture teaches in both Old and New Testaments that God chastens (disciplines) His children because He is a Father to them, and that this chastening is motivated by His love. Solomon recorded in Proverbs, “For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Pro. 3:12 NKJ) God loves His children enough to correct them, because He delights in them! And again, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” (Pro. 13:24 NKJ) Continue reading

Suffering: Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering? Part 1

This is Part 1 of 4 parts answering the question, “Would love itself ever be a reason that God would allow suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 2-4 will be posted on succeeding days.

We just looked at the reality that even “new creations” of God still suffer. Let’s look at the one attribute of God that people question the most regarding God’s permission and even His purpose for trials. This is, in fact, the attribute that began this series of questions, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” If God is truly love, then what does Scripture teach about love as the reason God allows suffering?

God Loves His Children Continue reading

Suffering: Why does God allow suffering for new creations? Part 1

This is Part 1 of 5 parts answering the question, “Why does God allow suffering for new creations?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 2-5 will be posted on succeeding days.

We’ve looked at God’s purposes for suffering. In the last chapter we’ve examined unseen reasons for it that are accounted for only through the eyes of Scripture, and considered unseen forces. So, why do Christians, who are called “new creations in Christ” still endure pain? Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17 NKJ)  If a Christian is a new creation and the old things have passed away, then why is there suffering? Continue reading

Suffering: Are there unseen forces and other reasons God allows suffering? Part 7

This is Part  7 of 7 parts answering the question, “Are there unseen forces and other reasons God allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”

God Allows Satan to Tempt Believers 

Why does God allow Satan to tempt believers? Temptations are allowed by God for His glory and the believer’s ultimate blessing. They began in the Garden of Eden and continue through today. Is this because God has lost control? Continue reading