Overview: It is clear through a careful study of Scripture from Genesis through the Gospels that God’s plan of salvation involved suffering, terrible suffering on a cross at Calvary by God’s Son, Jesus Christ. If God achieved the salvation of the world through suffering and the obedience of His Son then it should be no surprise to realize that Christians are also perfected through suffering.
Jesus knew that He would suffer, die, be buried and would rise from the dead as the final and only payment for the sins of the world. Even as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Getheseme (Mark 14:36) Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will. He accepted that the suffering He would face was for us and was God’s will.
Some of the greatest acts of love are preceded by suffering and sometimes God does allow suffering in our lives not to punish us, but to perfect us. As we endure suffering in our lives and commit the suffering to the Lord, God’s Spirit shines through us and draws those observing to ask "How can you praise God when this is happening?" Our response in the middle of suffering and pain is like a lighthouse shining out to the ship at sea during a storm. Our strength comes from Jesus, as the Apostle Paul cried out from the Roman prison, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 May this be our cry during our time of suffering.
Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and after three days rise again.
Hebrews 5:6-9 As He also says in another place: "You (Jesus) are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"; 7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Hebrews 2:9-11 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
1 Peter 5:9-11 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 3:17-18 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
Philippians 3:9-10 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all those that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, let you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.