The Blessedness of Tribulation
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4, NKJV).
In my previous article, I noted that the spiritual formation of the believer requires resistance to the subtle influences of the materialist worldview, which denies the existence of anything beyond the physical realm. This does not mean that we should abandon our earthly responsibilities, but that we should recognize that the realities and consequences of our existence go beyond the material world.
The Spirit of God that dwells in us is intended to sensitize and enlighten us about the more important spiritual realities beyond the physical world and the present life. Besides, our greatest achievements in the physical world, individually and as a community of people, depend on the extent to which we discover and develop our spiritual potential.
Unfortunately, we do not always resist the influences of the materialist worldview. Instead, we often resist the dealings of God’s Spirit that are intended to help us in our struggles against worldly influences that “war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Hence, God sometimes uses difficult situations to get our attention and set us back on the right track of spiritual evolution. He allows us to have experiences that defy materialist remedies so we can turn to him who is the “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).
In some peculiar cases, God may take away the erring believer from the present life so that their soul (their spiritual identity) may be preserved for greater eternal realities, including a glorified bodily life in the promised “new earth” (Revelation 21:1; see also Matthew 5:5; Matthew 19:27–30, Romans 8:19–21; 1 Corinthians 5:4–5; 1 Timothy 4:8). As the apostle wrote, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent [the present physical body], is destroyed, we have a building from God [the promised glorified body and life], a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1; also 1 Corinthians 15:49). This glorious reservation of the saints of God is presently “in the heavens,” but will in due time be manifested in the promised new earth (see Revelation 21:9–11).
It should be noted that it is not every believer who experiences difficulties or challenges that is failing in their spiritual awareness or development. Faithful followers of Christ also encounter tribulations (John 16:33). It is part of what the Lord uses to keep us from obsession with the present perishing life and compromising our glorious future inheritance. The tribulations keep us appropriately focused and longing for the promise. “For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is FROM HEAVEN… Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 5:2–5; emphasis added).
Whether the tribulations are a means of spiritual correction or an avenue for spiritual advancement, we are blessed by God through them (Hebrews 12:5–8; 1 Peter 5:6). As our opening Scripture passage notes, God uses the tribulations to purify and perfect us, shepherding us into a place where he can reveal to us the glorious possibilities beyond the present life and world (Ephesians 1:15–21).
All men, believers and unbelievers alike, experience troubles in the present life. The difference is in our faith in the Lord’s promise, which offers stability and hope in the storm, shielding us from the bitterness, frustration, or despair that may otherwise occur. If it gets so dark and it seems God is nowhere, we can be reassured by the words of Job: “Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:8–10). Amen.
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