Appointed to Afflictions

Jesus Christ made it clear that as we near the very end-time, religious persecution, family betrayal, spiritual deception, tribulation and falling away from the love of God would be normal, rather than exceptional. When we were first called into the Church of God, did any one expect we would reach the year 2011 before Christ returned? Why has this age gone on for so much longer than we expected? Why have we had to see the Church shrink to such a small group, or flock! There must be a reason. What has God been accomplishing over the past 25 years since the death of Herbert W. Armstrong. What have we, individually, learned since we were baptised and came into the Church!

It seems that it was not so difficult to live our faith when we were first called and responded to that call. True, most had to deal with work issues, relatives and friends who thought we were foolish for joining an organisation that had its church meetings on a Saturday and rejected their holidays. But after that, we were surrounded by others of like mind and we could also the tangible results of the work of the Church. We didn’t realise it at the time but there were those who hadn’t put God and His way first in their lives.

Many who attended church meetings with us were coasting, or had never really seen just what it was they had embraced. Jesus told His disciples that there would be an end-time sorting out. Jesus Christ gives us the example in Matthew 13:30 “Let both the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” That time of testing is now! Jesus Christ needs to test each of us, individually, to see where we stand. We still have more spiritual battles to fight.

Have you encountered the sentiment among some people, people who may or may not be in the Church of God, that if you get sick or have a trial in your life – it must be because of a hidden sin in your life? Does God send trials and afflictions on His people because they are evil? Let’s understand that our chastening is an act of God’s love. Our God is a loving God. He is a loving Father, and as such He withholds no good thing from His children (Psalm 84:11) And, as a loving Father, He is raising us, those who have committed their lives to Him, up in the way we should go. “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)

Paul quotes Proverbs 3 when he says: “You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)

Like many early Christians who died for their faith, are we willing in these last days to face poverty, persecution, prison and even martyrdom for the sake of His Word? (John 16:2-3) Are we willing to suffer affliction, or do we always have to have it good? Paul spoke of those faithful Christians who were, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” (Hebrews 11:25) “… We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience.” (Romans 5:3)

As we might study through the epistles, we see this theme of trials and afflictions played out over and over in the lives of the early Church brethren. Let’s admit that our pains and sufferings of today pale into insignificance when we compare them to the afflictions that the early Church endured – we have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin as they did (Hebrews 12:4). Look at these references that Paul makes to the Thessalonians:

“You became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6) “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” (1 Thessalonians 2:2) “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Judaea, which are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [the brethren in Judaea] have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men.” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-15)

When we should experience afflictions of one kind or another as a result of putting our faith into practice remember this verse. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as thought some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Christians are not called to a life of ease – Christians are appointed unto afflictions: “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4) Those who stand for God and His Truth, described as the righteous, should be aware of what Paul wrote to Timothy. He said to him and to all those who wish to live a life in obedience to God that “All who live righteously will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Living a life in accordance with the clear word of God is not easy in today’s world, but it presents a wonderful future.
Warren Zehrung