July 18, 2012

Toil, Trouble, Trials and Tribulation, part 2


by David Saunders
The answer to the question often asked-“Why me, Lord?
 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.         2 Peter 3:15-20 English Standard Version (ESV)


The same portion of scripture as rendered in Young's Literal Translation (YLT).  Portions are highlighted for particular consideration.

and the long-suffering of our Lord count ye salvation, according as also our beloved brother Paul -- according to the wisdom given to him -- did write to you, as also in all the epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, among which things are certain hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable do wrest, as also the other Writings, unto their own destruction. Ye, then, beloved, knowing before, take heed, lest, together with the error of the impious being led away, ye may fall from your own steadfastness, and increase ye in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; to him [is] the glory both now, and to the day of the age! Amen.                                                                                 

The case was made throughout part one of this series that it is a lack of knowledge which often leads to a lack of spiritual growth and feeling disconnected from God.  It was demonstrated that the key to growing in the knowledge of God, his purposes and ways is an abiding attitude of reverence and awe toward God inspired by the understanding that Jesus is the Righteous Judge and our conduct would be evaluated by Jesus during an event referred to as ‘The Day of Judgment.’ 

The goal of part two of this series will be to increase our understanding of why we are subjected to the toil, trouble, trials, and tribulation of this age and realize exactly why it is necessary that all Christlings grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In the scripture above we are encouraged by the statement that our Lord is patient with us.  Indeed, his kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).  Repentance is much more than simply being sorry and admitting guilt.  Repentance involves a change in thought and habit.  The concept of repentance should be associated with the idea of sanctification which is a process of increasingly devoting our attention to the Holy purposes of God.  If repentance and sanctification were being sold on a TV infomercial the announcer would proclaim:

“It’s a miraculous revolution of spiritual evolution.  Old habits die easy, old dogs learn new tricks, and generations of dust build up are blown away instantly!  Depressed?  Oppressed?  Broke down, busted, and disgusted?  Why experience that?  With repentance and sanctification you never have to again!  Be a new creature in Christ!  Be seated in heavenly realms with the Creator God of the Cosmos and Lord- of- the- Ages!  Be who God created you to beeee!  It’s a miraculous revolution of spiritual evolution brought to you by the will of God and the blood of Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit in you.  It’s free but it ain’t cheap.  Order today, delivery by angelic post.  Product guaranteed throughout all ages.  Discounts apply for quantity orders.”

That paragraph is more fun when read out loud in your best imitation of the voice heard over movie trailers and, of course, infomercials.  Just saying, have fun and realize your salvation is not just your experience in the next age but also in this present age.
2 Peter 3:15-20 also encourages us that God knows the scriptures are sometimes difficult for us to understand and we are warned that the distortion of scripture may also lead to undesired outcomes such as stunted spiritual growth and instability.  By comparing the two translations, the ESV and YLT, it becomes clear that these distortions of scripture often originate in the minds of lawless, or impious, people.  An impious person is simply an individual who does not reverence, or fear, God.  This attitude results in lawlessness which may be understood as lovelessnes in the context of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 22:35-40).

Definition of IMPIOUS by Webster’s dictionary.

: not pious : lacking in reverence or proper respect (as for God or one's parents) : irreverent
A comparison of the ESV and YLT also show us that being ignorant is the same as being untaught.  Ignorance can be fixed though.  These scriptures show us how:
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11(NIV)
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:27 (ESV)
The point is that by choosing to be of good character which is demonstrated by an eagerness to learn as well as examine the Scriptures daily while guided by the anointing of the Holy Spirit which is cultivated by practicing the presence of God an individual Christling may grow in the grace and knowledge of God.  The perceptible presence of God is experientially increased through an attitude of reverence and awe for God and his Word.  This simply requires our attention.  It has the effect of equipping the Christling for service to God in this age as well as the next.  The Christling may also have confidence to boldly approach the Judgment Seat at the dawn of the coming age with an expectation of hearing the Master say “Well, done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew chapter 25)
This brings up the question of why we experience the toil, trouble, trials, and tribulation.  The answer to this question is one of those mysterious secrets of the Kingdom of God and a key to understanding God’s purpose for the ages.  Earlier it was stated that God has a purpose for the ages.

and to cause all to see what [is] the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ, that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly [places], through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, according to a purpose of the ages, which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,.... Ephesians 3:9-11Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
There is one absolutely sure thing about God’s purpose.  He will see to it that it gets accomplished.
 The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, Isaiah 14:24 (ESV)
What is God’s purpose for the ages?  The purpose of God for the ages, the reason for the ages and what is being accomplished in them, is the gathering of all things into right relationship with their Creator God until all is within God and God is all in all.
 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.  When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.  1 Corinthians 15:20-24 (ESV)

The purpose of the Triune God is to reconcile all things into God.  The very kingdom of God will be delivered to him after all other authority has been brought to nothing.  God will be all in all.  I don’t know what this will look like but it will be very, very cool.  This idea is the joy set before our Lord that compelled him to become as a man for a season and endure crucifixion as well as a feeling of separation from Father God (Hebrews 12:2).  This is the purpose of the ages and why we are all here.  This purpose is to be achieved through the increase of the Kingdom of God.  The prophet Daniel saw a vision of the ever increasing Kingdom of God coming to a place of domination in which all earthly kingdoms as well as spiritual principalities and powers were subject to it.  In the vision the Kingdom of God was represented by a stone cut by God’s hand which struck the kingdoms of the age and grew until it became a great mountain, or nation, and filled the whole earth.  (Daniel 2:31-45)  Jesus is that stone.  The Church, those called out to be separate from this age and sanctified to the holy things of God, are that great mountain.  The prophet Isaiah proclaimed that in the latter days of the age many would come to this great mountain to learn the ways of the Lord and that righteous judgment would bring peace to the people. (Isaiah 2:2-4)


God is interested in people; all people not a particular group of people.  God is also not focused on any specific real estate ventures except as it may produce an increase in people being reconciled to him in both spirit and truth.  (John 4:18-24, Matthew 3:9, Romans 9:4-7, Galatians 3:28-29, Philippians 3:3, Colossians 3:11)  There is one Lord, one Spirit, one baptism, and one body of believers (Ephesians 4:4-5).  The old physical and temporary covenant has been replaced with a new and permanent covenant.  Any promises made by the Lord God in relationship to the old covenant have been fulfilled. 
 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.  The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands.  Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45 (NIV)


Again, God is interested in all people not real estate.  There are better, spiritual promises under the new covenant (The whole book of Hebrews).
God is most interested in all people as demonstrated by these scriptures.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.  1 Timothy 4:9-10 (ESV)

 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32 (ESV)

for it is written ,“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11(ESV)

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8-11 (ESV)

By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’[Isaiah 45:23 (ESV)

Was that three witnesses by scripture that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and swear allegiance to him? And the Lord God swore an oath on himself that this word went out of his mouth in righteousness?

Do you think God is trying to make an important point here?

As a matter of fact just about everything God does is for the purpose of drawing people to himself and compelling people to seek him.  A good example of a practical application of this idea is found in one of the Apostle Paul’s sermons.

Paul preaches the gospel to Greek Philosophers , Acts 17:22-31(ESV).

 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.  For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.  The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,                     

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

As the Apostle Paul preached the gospel to the Greek philosophers he made an interesting series of points.  First he commended them on paying attention to spiritual matters and then insisted that he had more information concerning the objects and deity associated with their worship. He also used a quote from one of the Greek poets agreeing with him that we are all God’s offspring. Paul continued with that line of reasoning stating that the idea of all men being God’s children and facing future judgment with rewards for good performance and chastisement for poor performance should provide motivation for God’s babies to repent.  He then provided encouragement that God is not far from anyone for in God we live, move, and have our being.  Paul communicated God’s grace by stating that past ignorance was overlooked by God.  He then proclaimed Jesus as the Righteous Judge using the resurrection of our Lord to establish this fact.  Another point that Paul made, and the point being made in this teaching, is that the Lord God determines the course of civilizations and the days of people’s lives for the purpose of compelling human beings to seek him.

The purpose of God for the ages is that all men would be reconciled to him and fully sanctified following repentance.  That is why God does stuff.  Period.
That is the reason we have to experience trials, troubles, toils, and tribulation.  That is the reason there is evil in the world.  It is the reason we live in an environment that allows bad things to happen to good people at the whim of time and chance.  The troubles we experience, the fact that there is an adversary who is hell bent on destroying God’s called out ones and the reality that it requires faith and favor to navigate safely through the day should compel humanity to seek relationship with the Almighty.  It is through the trials endured that character is revealed so that it may be refined and wisdom gained.  The fact that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than mine may only be truly learned by thinking I am smarter than God for a minute or two and leaning on my own understanding.  Faith is developed through dependence on the Lord to guide and make provision for needs.  Relationship with the Divine is deepened through enduring trials without doubting the love and power of the Lord God.  Following his terrible ordeal at the hands of the adversary in which his health was lost and his family and fortune were swept away, except for his nagging wife who kept encouraging him to ‘curse God and die’ and a few friends who gave him some pretty sketchy advice Job simply stated to the Lord God:

 I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
 therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”  Job 42:2-6 (ESV)

Why did God allow the adversary to afflict Job as he did?

Why did God allow a messenger of the adversary Paul referred to as a thorn in his flesh to afflict Paul by inciting crowds to persecute him and create hardship and calamity? (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

The reason God allowed those things is because he was more interested in them being permanently holy than in them being temporarily happy.  He was interested in them bearing fruit for the kingdom of God, gaining wisdom, and becoming as leaves on trees which are planted by the river of life for the healing of the nations.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”  Ezekiel 47:12 (ESV)
 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, bright as crystal, going forth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb: in the midst of its broad place, and of the river on this side and on that, [is] a tree of life, yielding twelve fruits, in each several month rendering its fruits, and the leaves of the tree [are] for the service of the nations; and any curse there shall not be any more, and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him, and they shall see His face, and His name [is] upon their foreheads, and night shall not be there, and they have no need of a lamp and light of a sun, because the Lord God doth give them light, and they shall reign -- to the ages of the ages.  Revelation 22:1-5 (YLT)

How cool is that?  Take a minute and soak up the ideas and emotion that scripture stirs up.  A river rolling forth from the very throne of the Almighty Majestic God running deep, pure, and crystal clear bright with the light of the True Life which is come into the world.  The river flows through wide open spaces and along the banks are trees of life that continually provide fruit for the healing of the people.  Their purpose is to serve the nations.  There is no thing in all of creation reckoned to be cursed and any curses that were are no more.  God’s children no longer see as though through a dark glass but are fully present with their Lord.  The seal of his name is upon their foreheads.  His thoughts are their thoughts, they have the mind of Christ.  They have matured into true priests and kings and will reign along with their Lord until the Kingdom of God is delivered to the Father in total victory.  Principalities and powers are shamed and powerless.  Death is defeated.  God becomes all in all.

Since this is the destiny of Christlings maybe it would be a good idea to get used to thinking like trees.  See Psalm 1 for instructions concerning this.  Jesus teaches us that a tree may be judged by its fruit (Luke 6:44) and that barren trees are encouraged to bear fruit (Luke 13:6-9) in this way: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’  And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’  Whatever else may be learned from this parable one thing is clear.  If it feels like the ground is falling out from underneath you and manure is piling up everywhere then be encouraged because you will be growing in grace and knowledge.  The Apostle Peter says it like this:  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1Peter 1:6-8 (ESV)

In the third installment of this series the sources of trials & troubles will be considered with an emphasis on the development of wisdom both as a product of trials and prevention for future troubles.  The importance of wisdom as a characteristic of a Christling will also be examined in light of God’s plan for the ages.  These verses will be foundational in the next portion of this teaching:

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)
 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?  1 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!  Psalm 111:10 (ESV)
 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  Colossians 1:16 (KJV)
 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.  Isaiah 45:7 (KJV)
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.  Proverbs 19:3 (NIV)
 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.  Ecclesiastes 9:11 (ESV)

Be Blessed
David Saunders
July 15, 2012

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