Job - Elihu's Speech (4)

E. How does What We Learn in Job Apply to the Christian After the Cross?

We know by the testimony of Scripture that God freely chose those who are in Christ from before the foundation of the world; He regenerated us freely by the work of His Spirit; and, He justified us freely through the gift of saving faith. Now, He is sanctifying us freely by His grace through suffering according to His infinite wisdom.

Suffering is not given out by God in a whimsical fashion. It is individually designed by God for the Christian's good. It comes in many forms. But all of the suffering of the righteous is expert therapy by the loving hand of the Great Surgeon. Even the suffering we endure as a result of our own sin is not punishment. Punishment for all sin was paid for by Christ on the cross for all of those who are in Christ. There are consequences for our sin, to be sure, but even the consequences work for our ultimate good because through the Spirit those truly in Christ are ultimately humbled by the sinfulness of their flesh, repent, and are again thankful for His undeserved grace in their lives. Discipline is a grace of God preserving the saint.

John Piper points out four reasons for God's purpose in suffering for the Christian.

1. That faith might be refined;

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pe 1:6-7)

2. Holiness might be enlarged;

For they [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he [God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained [sanctification] by it. (Heb 12:10-11)

3. The soul might be saved; and,

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (2 Co 1:8-9)

4. God might be glorified.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (Jas 1:2-4)

We, of course, do not seek suffering. However, if it is upon us, our goal should not be the avoidance of pain and trials, but endurance of them to let suffering have the effect that God has purposed - conformity to the image of His Son.