Does Word of Faith Preach No Suffering?
What can be said about suffering
Our Lord said that we will be persecuted as He was persecuted. But He never preached poverty for those who followed him. He said give and you shall receive. He told the rich young ruler give away all that you have to the poor, but then He also said in Matthew 19:29 that if we leave or give our positions for the Kingdom we would receive a hundred fold back. In Luke 18:29-30 it makes it even more clear that we will receive it in this lifetime, and in the ages to come eternal life.
He told us to take up the cross and follow him but religion has focused on the weight of an actual oak cross built to carry a man. Jesus on the other hand was clear in describing this walk. Mark 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Mark 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Further more in Philippians 4:19 it says that God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory.
In Hebrews 11 often referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame” we see Abraham the father of our faith and the richest man in the land, Jacob was asked by the Philistines to leave the land because he was too powerful and his flocks competed with the Philistine population, he sowed in famine and reaped a harvest of a hundred fold. We see Moses the leader of millions. Rahab the prostitute condemned to die with all of Jericho, was set free, saved her entire family and became the grandmother of David, and Solomon. And the list goes on with kings, judges, prophets, and other great men and women of God. All those who trusted in God and believed were saved, rescued, and set free. Their lives reflected God’s kingdom on Earth.
It should be noted that none lived free of attack. None lived without persecution. But I don’t know of anyone, who teaches the Word, who will venture to say that we in Christ will live free from attack. In verse 35 of Hebrews 11, we see why some of those mentioned were martyred. It wasn’t because God wanted it that way, it was their choice.
I think suffering is part of the fight of faith. To stand on the word against adverse circumstances can also be a form of sufferng and ‘dying to self’. A lot of people just aren’t willing to suffer for their faith. They’d rather accept the suffering as God’s will. Martyr theology indeed.
Thank you for the comment, David.
I can see how suffering could be concidered part of the fight of faith. (i.e. In nature the animals that don’t struggle and exert themselves are not properly prepared to face the challenges of adulthood.) But I have yet to find a verse that says that believers are some how required to have it or must pass through it.
Jesus says that we will be persecuted and the evil one will no doubt attack us (that’s why Paul points out that we have spiritual armor Ephesians 6). And in Psalms we read where “yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.” But I don’t see God telling anyone that it is His will that we experience adverse situations.
That’s why I enjoy your observation. Yes, standing against opposition and adverse circumstances is a form of suffering. And those who just sit back and let the World and life trample them down (all the while blaming God’s will) sport their Martyr theology like a red badge of courage.
Please explain to me Luke 9:23, Cross and self-denial.
That’s a good question, Freddy.
So let’s start with the Word. It says.
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Luke 9:23-24
(23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
(24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
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Jesus is talking about dying to self. Remember what Paul says. (Gal 2:20) “No longer do I live but Christ lives in me.”? Paul in essence was fulfilling what Jesus was talking about here in Luke. i.e. Paul’s desires no longer held top priority in his life. Christ came first. And in the later verse He speaks of losing ourselves. I see it very much like a person in love. In fact they say that when you are in love, you fall in love. In other words you lose your balance and control and are completely enveloped in the relationship. That is what Jesus wants, that we lose ourselves in Him and the relationship.
I am sure you are asking yourself about the mention of the cross. Right? It has a connotation of pain and suffering. But that isn’t what He meant. In fact you can see in Matthew 11:28-30 where He explains a little more about this YOKE that we must carry.
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Matthew 11:28-30
(28) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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Jesus never said that we would have to carry His cross, nor suffer like He suffered on that day. He said that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. In fact the only thing He mentions we will have here are tribulations. And He was speaking about religious attacks on His followers. But He ended the verse by saying that they needn’t fear, since He has overcome the World. In other words, even though there will be people that persecute you, if you remain in Him you too will overcome. (John 16:33)
I hope that helped.
Gabriel
Acts 9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Romans 5:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8: 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
Philippians 1:21 For me to live is Christ but to die is gain.
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.
Philippians 4: 11-13 for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content, I know how to brought low, and I know how to abound, In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him that strengthens me
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.
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what was lacking in Christ afflictions for the sake of the body, that is the church.
2 Thessalonians 1: 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
2 Timothy 2:3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus
2 Timothy 4:5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry
1 Peter 2:21 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.
1 Peter 4:12 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. 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Revelation 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Thanks for the list of verses that outline suffering in the New Testament, Jake. It is interesting to me that some believe that the Word of Faith is thought to teach no suffering.
What I think is that the Word of Faith is vilified and condemned, so that it becomes the scape goat for any rumor.
Thanks again.
I have been earnestly studying the so-called “error” of the Word of Faith Movement for more than 15 years, when I was first exposed to the teaching while in college. I am a Bible Believer. Because I am a Bible Believer I ardently study mine, what I dont understand is how the critics of the Word of Faith Message are quick to label the whole movement as misguided when I readily see evidence of lack of biblical scholarship on their part as well. My point is that the Bible needs no defense. God’s Word is true… whether it is believed and adhered to or not. Thanks so much for posting your Blog and I know it will bless and encourage many to keep believing God.