Introduction – Pulling Back the Curtain on the Question  – Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Reality – we all suffer. Suffering is a part of life since the genesis of mankind. Not all suffering is the same. Some suffering has meaning and purpose, while some suffering is senseless and unnecessary. Some types and forms of suffering are avoidable and some are not. Some will suffer because of self-infliction and self-sabotage – basically, one lying in the bed one has made for his or herself. Some will suffer as a result of natural circumstances and causes, and some will suffer because of the despicable, detestable, and evil choices of others. We also can affirm that both good and bad people suffer in this life.  Jesus said… 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have”? ESV (Matthew 5:43-46)

In our study – Petros – we are seeking to answer the question, “Why Does God Allow Suffering”, and what it means to suffer for righteousness, or, as the Word says, “for the sake of Christ Jesus.” What we will learn is that as Christians we are forewarned in Scripture that we will face and endure hardship and suffering for the cause our belief in Jesus, and faith in God. Again, the words of Jesus…

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,” ESV (John 16:33).

We should take this to mean that if we live and love in the ways of Yeshua, we will face hardship and suffering; but, because He (Jesus) has overcome the world, we will most certainly overcome any hardship and suffering that we incur for His name. John’s Gospel is very insightful and instructive regarding suffering for the name and sake of Christ Jesus. Chapters 15 and 16 foretell that followers of Jesus will suffer because of the public witness that reveals our love and allegiance to Jesus in an anti-Christ world. 

Interestingly, what most Christians have discovered is that as long as they do not give a public witness and determine to live a secret life of faith in God – they can avoid most scenarios where they are subject to any persecution or any hardship that results in suffering. In other words – keep silent about your faith.   This presents us with another problem. Jesus said to his followers…

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven,” ESV (Matthew 10:33-34).

Here is where we are in the context of hardship for Jesus – one of only a few things can happen. 

One – A humble and godly life may eventually end up revealing to a watching world who you are and what you truly believe in. 

Two – If you are a silent Christian you may be able to escape rejection and hostility from the superficial cultural and social current you have chosen to swim in. If that is what you are aspiring to – then you are golden in this life. 

Three – If you courageously articulate that Jesus is Lord, and not the ridiculous “Gotham City” underworld characters (Joker, Penguin, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Harvey Two-Face, etc.) whom now appear to be leading our government, liberal universities, and entertainment institutions, then the likelihood of being rejected, marginalized, and persecuted for the sake of Christ will exponentially increased.

In the Western world, we think that because we have individual freedom (which is our highest priority as a culture), any attempt (even by God) to restrain evil is an infringement on freedom. In a culture of political correctness, anyone who deviates from approved political or moral positions is now called out and not tolerated. Careers, jobs, reputations, and even physical safety appear to be on the table as persecutory possibilities. We no longer deal in subtleties – the language of disdain becomes hostile.

For governments who devolve into insistence on total and ultimate loyalty, Christians who can’t say “Caesar is Lord” are deemed rebellious and insubordinate because they know that their ultimate loyalty is to Jesus Christ as Lord. So they lash out at Christians, seeking to silence them through whatever means are necessary. Dead Christians, these governments think, are no longer a problem. 

We will have to choose whether we believe in Jesus as the Lord and we will have to testify to that. Or, we can try to remain safe by being silent and be free from rejection, suffering, and, in some places, death. This is not to disregard that Christians must use discretion in when, where, and how they testify. Even Jesus escaped from hostile crowds and Paul made a swift and careful escape from a hostile city. We do not go looking for suffering or martyrdom but if the occasion arises and a choice has to be made, we will make the hard choice. We may experience beatings, harassment, or legal proceedings for our testimony but we have already decided that if that is the necessary consequence of loyalty to Christ, then we accept that.

In a culture of convenience, like the USA, the idea of suffering for anything is not part of our normal expectations. We go to great ends to end suffering, especially our own. In answering the question of “why does God allow suffering”, to embrace suffering for Christ is almost a novel idea, but a necessary step to be God’s true servant in our culture.

Text and Context

In this passage (3:13-17), Peter shifts from instructing his readers to live life both right and righteously, to understanding and having a valued response to the hostility and antagonism of the God-less Greco-Roman culture towards Christianity. Peter’s letters noticeably change in both topic and tone and message and mission – purposefully becoming a great source of encouragement and relevant instruction as he unpacks and brings practical understanding and revelation to the unjust suffering of the persecuted Christians in the southeast Asian region. 

The encouragement and instruction Peter offers here is in reality the over-arching purpose and primary reason he wrote these two letters. The people of God were up against the powers of evil and darkness. The encouragement and instructions of Peter that once directly inspired Christ followers, have once again become vitally relevant to Christian believers who are now entering into aggressive hostility and persecution that is presently resulting in suffering for the sake of the Gospel of Christ, for their faith and in God, and for both His written and living Word – Yeshua… Ilesous Christos! 

Here in 1 Peter 3:13-17 we are introduced to the divine realities of victory and authority over all powers of darkness, a righteous response to unbelief and unbelievers, and then something truly substantial and spiritually remarkable. Peter begins to provide real answers as to what it means to suffer for the purpose of what is good and holy – and finally, what it means to suffer for what is that perfect Will of God,  and to suffer hostility for the sake of the eternal Word of God.  

Given the example of Christ, who chose to suffer rather than to disobey, Peter clearly makes his case to Christians of all time and all places. We are to put behind us the way of life that is antithetical and incompatible to God’s purposes and plans, according to His will. And, we must do this even though it may cause various forms of suffering; such as the social rejection and public isolation from family, friends, and employers that inevitably comes from belief and obedience to both the written and living Word of God.  Suffering for righteousness sake is indeed an answer to the question “why does God allow suffering.”

Listen to the range of instruction and meaning that Scripture (both in theological and semantic context) provides regarding how a biblical Christian can come to understand the value and purpose of suffering for the sake of righteousness; as well as how to spiritually and emotionally process the impact and fallout on our present lives. 

I Peter 2:19-21

“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” 

Philippians 3:7-11

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

I Peter 4:12-17

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.”  ESV

The above Scriptures provide strong biblical evidence that Christ followers should expect to suffer for their faith.  Suffering for righteousness sake is one type of suffering that believers will experience in a fallen world.  There are certainly other types of suffering, and we will continue to examine the important question “why does God allow suffering” in the Petros Series – a study in the epistles of the Apostle Peter.  

Download the Petros series study notes HERE.