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No More Pain


Or, The Instructive Past and Hopeful Future
Concerning Pain, Suffering, and Death


"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"
(Revelation 21:4).


by Tom Stewart


Preface

P
ain is something that we all desire to avoid because we are human. "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the LORD the Church" (Ephesians 5:29). However, pain, suffering, and even death are often unavoidable, when we seek to accomplish the will of God. "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Instead of running to the extremes of seeking to embrace pain as a constant companion, or running from pain at all costs, we need to understand the wisdom of how God uses pain in our lives. "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (Philippians 4:12).

Sin: The Origin of Pain

Though we may have wondered if a newly created Adam could experience everyday pain, we can be certain of what Scripture records as the occasion for the beginning of pain-- SIN.
"Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3:16-19).

Adam and Eve's first sin brought forth the by-product of pain, which is the condition of separation from the Living God. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden" (Genesis 3:6-8).

This condition of separation from the Living God yields pain, while union with our LORD yields joy.
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). Compare that to this. "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11).

Punishment and Reformation: The Purpose of Pain and Suffering

Though pain and suffering seem only to have a negative purpose, as Christians, we can be sure that it is entirely untrue.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). The God of Wisdom and Love must have a deeper purpose than simply to watch His people suffer. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" (11:33).

God's punishment of Adam and Eve's sin was not only punitive, but it was reformative for the promotion of Godliness, i.e.,
"cursed is the ground for thy sake" (Genesis 3:17). The punishment of Adam and Eve was the All Wise God's method of securing their salvation and sanctification. "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). This was the beginning of salvation in mankind. "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). Eve was punished with sorrow in childbearing and the necessity for submission to her husband. "Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Genesis 3:16). Eve was established as the pattern for even the women of today. "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" (1Timothy 2:15).

Adam was punished with the pain, toil, and sorrow of physical survival for himself and his family.
"And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3:17-19). Though neither Adam's toil nor Eve's childbearing could in itself have saved them, it was necessary (where appropriate) for their acceptance by faith with God. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1Timothy 5:8).

Clarification: Physical Pain Does Not Necessarily Imply Sin

If pain is the result of sin and sinning, then is physical pain sin? No. If physical pain indicated that you were in a sinful condition, then how could the Sinless Son of God--
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth" (1Peter 2:22).-- have lived as a human being, suffering the human condition, and not have sinned? The LORD Jesus was always the Perfect "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Remember what the disciples asked the Master concerning the man born blind.
"And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2). Jesus clearly indicated that the man's form of suffering, i.e., blindness, was not due to any wrong doing on the man's part or his parents' part. "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him" (9:3).

Even Jesus-- the Perfect Man-- Was Not Exempt

It is appropriate then to identify the act of sinning as moral depravity, and the resulting sinful condition as being morally depraved. "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matthew 12:33). We are only sinful (or, morally depraved) when we are in the condition of not having repented of known sin. But, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).

Since the LORD Jesus Christ never committed sin before, during, or after He became a man in human flesh, He never can be said to have been morally depraved (or, sinful).
"For He [the Father] hath made Him [the Son] to be sin for us, [Jesus] Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus]" (2Corinthians 5:21). How unlike the rest of us! "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him [Jesus Christ] the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). Who can truthfully deny that we have all sinned? No one. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). [For a more developed discussion of moral depravity compared to a less understood concept of 'physical depravity'-- yes, that's a term from Charles G. Finney's "Systematic Theology"-- see the sub-point "(4) Physical depravity is the physical consequence of sin" of the sub-section "Back to the Basics: The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ" of our article, "An Urgent Call to Christian Perfection".]

The Apostle Paul: A Notable Example

Suffering: The Secret of Personal Sanctification

God only gives holiness to those who ask Him for it in faith-- "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). Similarly, we cannot pretend to be walking in faith while walking in disobedience. "And why call ye Me, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Holiness must be in our conduct, if it has truly been given to us by the LORD. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD" (Hebrews 12:14).

The secret to our personal sanctification or holiness is found in our suffering.
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin" (1Peter 4:1). Even as the Apostle Paul knew the "fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10), he understood the Entire Sanctification available to all the Saints. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ" (1Thessalonians 5:23). Only those who have "suffered in the flesh" have "ceased from sin" (1Peter 4:1). God intends that the result of suffering would be our ceasing from sinning. This must be possible, or else, why does Scripture place such an emphasis upon Not Sinning for all those who are Born Again? "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not" (1John 5:18).

Medieval monasticism is not to be confused with our ceasing from sin through suffering.
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility... Touch not; taste not; handle not... after the commandments and doctrines of men?... Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body" (Colossians 2:18,21,22,23). The monastic error was to place the emphasis upon the man gaining mastery over the human will through his suffering, i.e., "will worship" (2:23). However, the Spirit taught Saint understands the necessity of his own sufferings, but also acknowledges the necessity of God's mastery of his will for that suffering to bring forth the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11). "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
How often have we seen ourselves partake of suffering. i.e., because we were doing right, while we see the unrighteous prosper-- fully engaged in their sin? John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed, while the ungodly banqueted. David ran like a hunted animal, while Saul enjoyed the throne of Israel. The Psalmist recounts his struggle-- and ours-- with the paradox of our suffering and the ungodly's prospering. "I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked... Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression... these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches... all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning... When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places: Thou castedst them down into destruction... So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee... Thou shalt guide me with Thy Counsel, and afterward receive me to glory... But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, that I may declare all Thy works" (Psalms 73). Christian, take heart. Our suffering is but momentary, compared to our "exceeding joy" when Christ's "glory shall be revealed" (1Peter 4:13)!

What the Future Holds for Pain, Suffering, and Death

Only after this fiery conclusion will there be the "New Heavens and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2Peter 3:13 cp. Revelation 20). This is where we have the description of the LORD wiping away "all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). The LORD God Almighty will no longer have any more need for pain, suffering, and death in His creation. It is ashamed that we made it necessary for God to have had to use them at all. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10).

Conclusion

We all have probably concluded long ago that pain, suffering, and death will have no part of the future for the Righteous, i.e., in Heaven. The ultimate victory of the Righteous over death is a recurrent theme throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. The Apostle Paul cited Isaiah 25:8 when he wrote,
"Death is swallowed up in victory" (1Corinthians 15:54). But, the prophet Hosea gave us the most sublime, direct quotation from the lips of Jehovah concerning the Righteous and the destiny of death. "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction" (Hosea 13:14). Hallelujah!

What we may have neglected is the value of pain, suffering, and dying in our own sanctification.
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy Statutes" (Psalm 119:71). Much of the progress we have made in our walk with the LORD has come because we have been subjected to pain, suffering, and even dying. "For I will shew him [the Apostle Paul] how great things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:16). Only Eternity will tell all the good that has come from these Unsought For Companions, i.e., pain, suffering, and death. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1Corinthians 3:13). Certainly the Tribulation Week will afford the Body of Christ more opportunities to be sanctified through contact with these Companions. "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).

May God alone receive the praise for what you accomplish by your pain and suffering-- and even dying.
"That God may be all in all" (1Corinthians 15:28).

.


Tom Stewart





Divine Healing ---New Window
A Series of Addresses and a Personal Testimony
by Andrew Murray
(1828-1917)
Scripture Annotated Version
"Oh, that we could learn to believe in the promises of God! God has not gone back from His promises; Jesus is still He who heals both soul and body; salvation offers us even now healing and holiness, and the Holy Spirit is always ready to give us some manifestations of His power. Even when we ask why this divine power is not more often seen, He answers us: 'Because of your unbelief.' The more we give ourselves to experience personally sanctification by faith, the more we shall also experience healing by faith. These two doctrines walk abreast. The more the Spirit of God lives and acts in the soul of believers, the more will the miracles multiply by which He works in the body... On the morrow Peter repeated these words before the Sanhedrin, 'By the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth... doth this man stand here before you whole;' and then he added, 'There is none other name under heaven... whereby we must be saved.' This statement of Peter's declares to us that the name of Jesus both heals and saves. We have here a teaching of the highest import for divine healing... I know there are a great many difficulties about this question of holiness; I know that all do not think exactly the same with regard to it. But that would be to me a matter of comparative indifference if I could see that all are honestly longing to be free from every sin. But I am afraid that unconsciously there are in hearts often compromises with the idea: 'We cannot be without sin; we must sin a little every day; we cannot help it.' Oh, that people would actually cry to God: 'Lord, do keep me from sin!' Give yourself utterly to Jesus, and ask Him to do His very utmost for you in keeping you from sin." --by Andrew Murray




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