The primary reason that you will have trials—why you as a church, why we should not expect smooth sailing as a church—why? Because God has apportioned afflictions for us to suffer individually and for us to suffer together. Now you say,
I thought God loved us.Oh, he has proven it. It is because he loves us. And has he not proven his love? He sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins. That answers all the questions: Does God love me? Is he faithful? Yes, he is faithful. Then why is God doing this? Because, as Paul often preached on these very missionary journeys,Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.It is the only way that people with our particular affliction—namely, sin and unbelief—can be saved. Isn’t it true? You and I are so trained in the ways of sin and so habituated to the patterns of unbelief that we do not grow without affliction. And God has character qualities that he wants to work in us—and it comes through the furnace of affliction. John Lillie says this:
Isn’t it enough for us to know that such is the will of God? That this fiery trial happens not without his knowledge, not without his consent and purpose, not without his control. Our Father sits by the mouth of the furnace into which his people are cast, and both the fervour and the duration of that trial is regulated by his infinite fatherly wisdom and love. Gladly, we may be sure, he would spare us were it not for the necessities of our case—arising from the prevalence of sin and death in the world and in us.So it is.And God uses trials to make of us what he wants us to be—the men and the women, the people, the church that we are to be—that his glory would be seen, that we would know all of his attributes, not only the attributes that I think are good emotions. God wants to be glorified in all his attributes to me. And then he knows the church needs people of Christian character. And where do you think they get it? You are tried. You are afflicted. Usually, an older Christian—at least a more seasoned Christian—comes alongside you, and what a help they are. They comfort you. They know what to say. And you go,
Richard D. PhillipsHow did they get so wise?How do you think? Through much suffering. And the reason that these are available—as in the church—is because God has mercifully and lovingly and faithfully and sovereignly apportioned our trials.1
4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.