Do you think suffering can play a role in sanctifying a Christian?

Once a believer starts out on the real Christian life, suffering is a given, as seen in the testing of Israel in the wilderness, parallels seen here:

1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

Israel was tested to prepare her to lay down her life so that she could make progress in the journey to be a blessing to the world, a task that she was groomed for, at the River Jordan, that Abraham was tested for, but not called for, at Mt Moriah.

Israel the first son , failed, whilst Christ, the Israel of God, the second Son, overcame the testing and faced the giants:


Luke 4:1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness 2for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.
...

Luke 4:17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

18“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
20And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Now that we are IN Christ (and only IN/THROUGH Christ), we can take part in His work of being a blessing to the world through suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

1 Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

AnticipateHisComing said:

I would never say something so common to Christians is merely incidental.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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Suffering is merely incidental because suffering does not do necessary salvational work.

There is no "belief and then suffer a while" necessary for salvation. Suffering is incidental because suffering is not the point. A person who suffers more is not "more saved" or even a better Christian or "more sanctified" than someone who has suffered less.

Suffering is incidental to running the race as a Christian like swallowing bugs is incidental to cycling a hundred miles. Those who cycle with more alacrity and fervor are likely to swallow more bugs than those who merely toddle along. Swallowing bugs is a result running the race, and possibly even a metric of fervor, but it's not a necessity to finish the race.

The scriptural point is not to let a swallowed bug make you quit cycling and you aren't surprised--you're not undergoing anything that isn't common to other cyclists--but to realize that swallowing bugs is what comes from cycling, and if you swallow a bug you're making progress down the road.

There are several commentaries that explain the topic of the ministry of suffering, but this one is concise and covers all the salient points:

https://bible.org/seriespage/lose-your-religion-philippians-31-11

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Finally, and I really do mean, finally, Paul concludes this section with an unusual and surprising statement expressing a desire to “…attain to the resurrection from the dead” (3:11). The NASB begins this verse with “in order that”; however, this phrase doesn’t appear in the Greek text. Instead, it is the adverbial phrase ei pos which means “if somehow” (see NASB margin).37 This leads to several observations. First, whatever Paul means by “the resurrection from the dead,” he is unsure that he will attain it. It is unlikely, then, that he is referring to his bodily resurrection.38 Second, the term translated “resurrection” (exanastasis) literally means “out-from resurrection.”39 It appears that Paul’s hope is not simply to be physically resurrected, but to gain what he calls the “out-resurrection.” The compound form points to a fuller participation in the resurrection. Third, attaining to the resurrection from the dead is dependent upon being conformed to Jesus Christ’s sufferings and death.40 Paul knows that he has to do something in addition to place his faith in Christ. Knowing the power of Christ’s resurrection is required, sharing His sufferings is required, and conforming oneself to His death by laying down one’s life for others is required in order to participate in the “out-resurrection.” Fourth, this out-resurrection is a reward, not a gift of grace. Verse 14 likens it to a “prize.”41 Paul is concerned with achieving a distinctive resurrection life—a new life that stands out from the rest. This calls to mind Hebrews 11:35, which speaks of a “better resurrection” for those who suffer. Jesus speaks of believers being “repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” for humility, servitude, and obedience (Luke 14:14). Paul is not merely hoping that he will attain physical resurrection. That’s a done deal! He is confident in his salvation. Rather he is seeking to be distinctively resurrected; resurrected to stand before Christ who will approve his life and give him important new responsibilities in the age to come.42 Thus, in this single passage, Paul hits justification, sanctification, and glorification. Yet, his goal is that the Lord Jesus Christ receives all glory, honor, and praise.

Going out of your way to suffer isn't Christian like either, but this doesn't mean you compromise your christian integrity to avoid any suffering either.

It almost screams, "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT HOW MUCH I SUFFER FOR YOU OH LORD! SURELY I AM THE MOST HOLY OF YOUR SERVANTS!!?!"

ChristsSoldier115 said:

Going out of your way to suffer isn't Christian like either, but this doesn't mean you compromise your christian integrity to avoid any suffering either.

It almost screams, "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT HOW MUCH I SUFFER FOR YOU OH LORD! SURELY I AM THE MOST HOLY OF YOUR SERVANTS!!?!"

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Who is doing that?

Suffering is how most of us learn lessons of humility and self-denial. If you are one of the ones who are humble and deny yourself without suffering, good on you; for the rest of us, we get too cocky when everything goes too well too long.

There are several citations in the New Testament wherein Christians are warned of coming suffering and trials. That sort of stuff happens. However, suffering can take any one of several aspects: physical, financial, emotional and so forth.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” C. S. Lewis

However, suffering merely to be suffering is no value. Self-inflicted pain is merely works and does nothing to bring us under the will of God. If anything - and already mentioned by Christs Soldier 115 and Seeing Eyes, self-inflicted pain more likely builds self-righteousness and pride.

RDKirk said:

Suffering is merely incidental because suffering does not do necessary salvational work.

There is no "belief and then suffer a while" necessary for salvation. Suffering is incidental because suffering is not the point. A person who suffers more is not "more saved" or even a better Christian or "more sanctified" than someone who has suffered less.

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Read the OP again. It is not discussing salvation. It used the word sanctification which varies in understanding. For the context of this thread, a more accurate understanding would be the growing in faith to be more like Jesus, aka more holy.

RDKirk said:

Suffering is incidental to running the race as a Christian like swallowing bugs is incidental to cycling a hundred miles. Those who cycle with more alacrity and fervor are likely to swallow more bugs than those who merely toddle along. Swallowing bugs is a result running the race, and possibly even a metric of fervor, but it's not a necessity to finish the race.

The scriptural point is not to let a swallowed bug make you quit cycling and you aren't surprised--you're not undergoing anything that isn't common to other cyclists--but to realize that swallowing bugs is what comes from cycling, and if you swallow a bug you're making progress down the road.

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Your analogy completely misrepresents what scripture teaches of suffering. Your analogy suggest nothing positive resulting from suffering. It is merely something to endure in a race and it would be better if it was not present.

Now scripture says the apostles rejoiced over their suffering, not something I do when I swallow a bug.

Acts 5:40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.


I will end with this thought provoking question. Why did Jesus suffer?

God could have decided that the sacrifice of an animal was adequate for our atonement. His plan includes suffering. When Paul said to live is Christ, to die is gain he was speaking about suffering in this world.

RDKirk said:

Suffering is merely incidental because suffering does not do necessary salvational work.

There is no "belief and then suffer a while" necessary for salvation. Suffering is incidental because suffering is not the point. A person who suffers more is not "more saved" or even a better Christian or "more sanctified" than someone who has suffered less.

Suffering is incidental to running the race as a Christian like swallowing bugs is incidental to cycling a hundred miles. Those who cycle with more alacrity and fervor are likely to swallow more bugs than those who merely toddle along. Swallowing bugs is a result running the race, and possibly even a metric of fervor, but it's not a necessity to finish the race.

The scriptural point is not to let a swallowed bug make you quit cycling and you aren't surprised--you're not undergoing anything that isn't common to other cyclists--but to realize that swallowing bugs is what comes from cycling, and if you swallow a bug you're making progress down the road.

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This rather depends on one's definition of "saved".

Optimax said:

Sanctify means set apart.

When a person is saved/born again/from above (Rom 10:9.

They are set apart for God.

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That's what I thought too.

MoreCoffee said:

Many of the saints who the church has canonised suffered physical and mental anguishes in their earthly life yet some Christians contend that Christ's atoning death and resurrection are to bring healing of earthly physical and mental ills, do you agree with that, do you think that suffering can play a role in sanctifying a Christian?

1. Yes suffering can play a role in sanctifying a Christian,
2. No suffering can't play a role in sanctifying a Christian,
3. Sometimes suffering may play a role in sanctifying a Christian,
4. Suffering never plays a role in sanctifying a Christian,
5. Suffering always plays a role in sanctifying a Christian,
6. I do not know if suffering can play a role in sanctifying a Christian,
7. I do not care if suffering can play a role in sanctifying a Christian.

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I haven't voted yet. I'm inclining toward #1 if it's potentially qualified, or #3 if that serves as the qualification.

I don't see it as an either/or though. Yes, I think Christ's death was for the healing of physical and mental ills, and the redemption of mankind and all of creation, and destroyed death.

But I also believe that God can use our suffering to help sanctify us. How that happens is probably varied.

In suffering we may turn to God, learn to trust Him more, learn that we depend on Him for our very being and all we have. We may bear suffering cheerfully and be a good testimony. Perhaps we can identify with Christ in some ways in suffering. Perhaps we can learn to put our own desires second and someone else's good first. Maybe it will teach us humility and diminish our pridefulness. And probably other ways as well.

Suffering happens to all of us. I'm not saying we need to seek it out. In fact, that can be very counterproductive, IMO. It's something to keep in mind, and a fine line, in many things we might do in the name of our faith. Giving alms, fasting, living humbly, and many similar disciplines can lead to pride or some other wrong mindset if we aren't careful, and will be no good for us at all. And purposely seeking out real suffering - I have serious doubts about that, at least in the case of most people.

In my own experience though, since we all do suffer, I have to say that it is easier to draw closer to God in times of trouble than in times of ease. So from the foundation up, suffering CAN be helpful. But if we approach it in the wrong way, grumbling or thinking of ourselves, etc. - then we probably move further from becoming sanctified rather than closer.