Why Should Christians Suffer? 
By Frederick K.C. Price, D.D.

Most likely every Christian knows of some faithful believer who has suffered for years with an ailment or a debilitating disease, or financial deprivation. The question that arises in such instances is, “If God is so good, why do Christians suffer?” I believe there is a two-part answer to the question:

1. What does The Church teach about Christians suffering?
2. What does the Bible say?

I want to explore some concepts that some Christian leaders propagate about suffering and then contrast those ideas with biblical teaching.

Concept 1: Nothing can touch the child of God without God’s permission, so we can accept each difficulty as being from His hands. Jesus said in John 10:10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Anything that steals, kills, or destroys is not the work of God but rather the work of the thief (Satan – the devil). Some people then ask, “Why does God allow it?” God gave humans free will. He must permit things to happen because we do. If He interfered with our decisions in what we’ll call “daily life decisions” (as opposed to ordained world events, like the destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem), then we would not have a free will. Sometimes we hear people say, “God is teaching me something.” No, the devil is working on killing you. God does not teach us through suffering and pain or financial hardship. He teaches us through His Word.

Concept 2: The Bible and the history of The Church both demonstrate that God’s way for the suffering of the people has not always been the way of escape, but the way of endurance. First Corinthians 10:13 says: No temptation (test or trial) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. God said He would make the way of escape. He could not possibly bring on the temptations to teach you something and at the same time make a way of escape.

Concept 3: Sometimes God allows us to suffer so we may grow spiritually. Some people say, “I’m suffering for the Lord.” First Peter 2:2 says: as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby. Christians are supposed to grow by the Word and not by suffering.

Concept 4: God uses suffering and trials to discipline us…. If our Savior was made perfect through suffering, according to Hebrews 2:10, how can we expect to escape? John 15:20 says: …If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. In the book of Hebrews, it says Jesus was made perfect through the things He suffered. What did He suffer? Persecution was the only thing Jesus suffered that we have to suffer or endure, as well.

Concept 5: Hebrews 11:30-35 means others were tortured not accepting deliverance. Some were delivered and some were not delivered according to the will and plan of God. First Corinthians 10:13 says, …[God] will also make the way of escape…. God will not give His children an “out” that would condemn them to hell or a life of struggling. What kind of an escape would that be? So the “deliverance” spoken of in Hebrews could not possibly be an earthly deliverance provided by men or by a government. No! It had to be from the Father.

Concept 6: Christians attract demons that constantly harass them. Jesus said in Mark 16:17: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons…. Christians do draw fire from the enemy, but God has given us authority over the enemy.

Concept 7: A noted theologian has said that physical sufferers rightly oriented with God learn some things that others miss. Peter said in Acts 10:34 ….”In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.” The idea is that God brings these things so that Christians who suffer can be trained. This hypothesis is wrong because if that were true, God would be a respecter of persons, because according to this theory, “If I don’t suffer, I’m not going to learn what the person who suffers does, so I must not be in right relationship with God.

Concept 8: God’s discipline and chastening builds Christian character and that is one of the reasons we are not exempt from problems and difficulties in life. Hebrews 12:5-6 states: (5) And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him, (6) For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” You may learn from life. You may learn from the circumstances, from the bankruptcy, the divorce, and the drug addiction. But you learned these things by experience because you chose not to learn from God’s Word either out of ignorance or disobedience. God chastens us by His Word and not by life’s experiences.

Concept 9: God allows the fires of tribulation to come into our lives in order to keep us humble. In Matthew 23:12, Jesus said: And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he humbles himself will be exalted. This puts the ball in my court. Jesus says humility has to do with a choice I make, not the fires of tribulation. If I humble myself by submitting myself to God's Word, then I will be exalted.

Concept 10: God does not exempt Christians from suffering because it deepens their prayer life. Luke 18:1 says: Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. God wants you to pray when the sun is out and the birds are singing; He wants you to pray when the rain clouds come and your car won’t start. He wants you praying when things are good and when they are bad. Your circumstances should not dictate whether you pray, although they might shape the content of your prayers.

Why should Christians suffer? All Christians must suffer as Christ suffered – that is to endure persecution. That is all we can suffer with Him, because the physical suffering He endured was specific to our salvation and deliverance from the enemy’s authority in our lives. Why should Christians suffer? Based on the uncompromising Word of God, I believe they shouldn’t.

-- The above article was excerpted from Dr. Price’s latest book of the same title, which will be released for sale on 9/30/03.