Q4. Glory and Suffering

[Niyonka16]

Q4. (Matthew 5:13-15) How do verses 13-16 relate to verses 10-12? ANSWER: Jesus emphasizes to His disciples that their lives are enormously valuable. They are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. That's why it is so important they do the good works God gives them to do. It is how those in the darkness of the world will see God. Like lamps give light to a dark room, or salt prevents decay in food, Christian influence is meant to counter evil and despair (Matthew 5:13–16).

How does hiding our light affect the glory of God?

ANSWER: The reason why it's important to shine: “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Many a believer seems just as lost as the rest of the world. Many believers seem to be groping in the darkness unable to find their own way much less guide others. Or they seem to be leading their followers into a ditch because the light of God in them is covered.

Here are 3 things that can cover a believer’s light:

1. Neglect of the word of God: Christians have not developed the discipline of reading and studying their Bible constantly. No wonder they seem to be leaving the road to wander around in the bush. We need to form the habit of reading our Bible through once every year, the entire Bible, not just the parts we choose. When we do this in a devotional manner (i.e. under the guidance of the Holy Spirit), it changes our perception and helps us to see things more clearly.
2. Seeking worldly approval: Many believers are struggling to please the world and live according to its standards. This is a violation of the word of God and steeps us in the very darkness we are to shine our light on. While we cannot avoid unbelievers as long as we are in the world, it is unwise to make them our best friends and aspire to please them more than God.
3. Fear of persecution: Believers sometimes hide their light to “protect” themselves. We may fear standing out because it exposes us to ridicule and persecution but that is part of what it means to be a child of God in a world where evil predominates. However, the Lord Jesus promises to be with us through it all.

Why must glory and suffering go hand in hand?

ANSWER: Since God is the source of all goodness, his glory is the wellspring of all joy. What God does for his own sake benefits us. Therefore whatever glorifies him is good for us. And that includes the suffering he allows or brings (biblically, either or both terms can apply) into our lives.

Was Jesus' suffering necessary?

ANSWER: By sending his son Jesus to die for our sins, God is working to restore the radiance of his own glory shining in and through us. The purpose of Jesus suffering: it was the ignominy of the cross that He endured that was the lowest point that He had to reach for God to reward Him with the highest office of lordship as a Redeemer. The merit of Jesus' suffering is sufficient to atone for every sin that has ever been or ever will be committed.

Is ours (suffering necessary)?

ANSWER: Suffering can make us more resilient, better able to endure hardships. Just as a muscle, in order to build up, must endure some pain, so our emotions must endure pain in order to strengthen. God allows us to suffer because we are living in a broken world. Suffering is necessary for a meaningful life because living a meaningful life requires that we choose to take on a reasonable amount of pain.

What does this have to do with Romans 12:2?

ANSWER: Paul tells us to abandon the chase for pleasure, possessions, and status—to stop living like everyone else. Instead, he urges us to be transformed from the inside out. We must be changed in how we think, to have our minds renewed so that we can begin to understand God's will for our lives. As believers renounce the ways of the world and submit to Christ, their minds, hearts, and wills are renewed by God’s Word and Spirit. This is how we can test and approve God’s will. In summary, embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out.