Romans 8:16-18
” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time’ are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Scripture will be added as you walk with me on the path the Triune God has taken me. Scripture is the key to opening insight and understanding of why suffering is so important as He walks us through the refining fire.
- All scripture is ESV
- Go to the scripture and put it in context. We can cling to false truth when we pull a verse out of it’s context – or out of the overall context of the Bible.
REFINING FIRE SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 6:29
Zechariah 13:9
Malachi 3: 2-3
Proverbs 17:3
Scripture Categories
Click on an item below and it will take you to that category’s scripture
Promises Regarding Suffering
Result of Suffering
God Sovereign Over Suffering
Examples of Suffering
Joy In Suffering
Purpose for Suffering
Directions for Time of Suffering
Purpose of Bible Study
Promises Regarding Suffering
Philippians 1:21 – 30 “For me to live is Christ but to die is gain. …” Highlight verses 29 and 30 “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, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “… For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings,so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
1 Peter 3:14-15 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. …”
1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Result of Suffering
2 Corinthians 12: 1-10 Paul shares how God kept him from being conceited and that God’s power is made strong in weakness
1 Thessalonians 1:24 Paul praises the Thessalonians for receiving the gospel in the midst of affliction.
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”
God Sovereign Over Suffering
Philippians 1:21 – 30 “For me to live is Christ but to die is gain. …” Highlight verses 29 and 30 “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, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”
1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Examples of Suffering
2 Corinthians 11:16-29 Paul’s sufferings as an Apostle.
Hebrews 10: 32-39 Paul speaks of the suffering of the Hebrews and yet they showed compassion towards those who persecuted them.
Hebrews 5:7 Click for deeper study Jesus is our example to respond to suffering.
Joy In Suffering
Colossians 1:24 -29 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, …”
Romans 5:3 “we rejoice in our sufferings.”
James 1:2 “count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds”
Acts 5: 17-42 vs 41 “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”
Purpose for Suffering
Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are …
Directions for Time of Suffering
1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Hebrews 10: 32-39 Paul instructs the believers who have gone through suffering not to throw away their confidence, “which has a great reward.”
Zephaniah 3:14-20 Even in the midst of suffering Christians are called to rejoice and praise the Triune God, as we anticipate in a few short years we will be with Him for eternity.
Hebrews 5:7 Click for deeper study. (Scroll down to bottom of page “Coffee Chat”) Jesus demonstrates for us how to respond in suffering.
Purpose of Bible Study
Acts 20:27 “… for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”
Hebrews 4:12 -13 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword …”
Hebrews 6.1 “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works …”
