Sofrimento
O sofrimento é uma realidade da vida neste mundo, mas a Bíblia revela que Deus está presente em toda dor, produzindo caráter, esperança e redenção através das tribulações.
O sofrimento de Cristo
Jesus sofreu por nós, carregando nossas dores e enfermidades. Ele é o modelo supremo de como enfrentar o sofrimento com fé e obediência.
despised, and the last of men, a man of sorrows, and knowing sickness. And his cheer was as hid, and despised; wherefore and we areckoned not him.
Verily he suffered our sicknesses, and he bare our sorrows; and we areckoned him as a mesel, and smitten of God, and made low.
And they unclothed him, and did about him a red mantle;
and they folded a crown of thorns, and put on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled before him, and scorned him, and said, Hail, king of Jews.
For to this thing ye be called. For also Christ suffered for us, and left ensample to you, that ye follow the steps of him.
to know him, and the virtue of his rising again, and the fellowship of his passion, and to be made like [or configured] to his death,
O propósito do sofrimento
Deus usa as tribulações para produzir perseverança, caráter e esperança. O sofrimento presente não se compara com a glória que será revelada.
And not this only, but also we glory in tribulations, witting that tribulation worketh patience,
and patience proving, and proving hope.
And I deem, that the passions of this time be not even worthy, to the glory to coming [or to come], that shall be showed in us.
But that light, [or easy], thing of our tribulation that lasteth now, but as it were by a moment, worketh in us over-measure an everlasting burden [or an everlasting weight] into the highness of glory;
For as the passions of Christ be plenteous in us, so also by Christ our comfort is plenteous.
For it is given to you for Christ, that not only ye believe in him, but also that ye suffer for him;
Therefore for Christ suffered in flesh, be ye also armed by the same thinking; for he that suffered in flesh ceased from sins,
Consolação e companhia
Deus consola os aflitos para que possamos consolar outros. Nunca estamos sozinhos no sofrimento — Ele é o Pai das misericórdias.
Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies, and God of all comfort,
which comforteth us in all our tribulation, that also we may comfort them, that be in all dis-ease [or in all pressure] by the admonishing by which also we be admonished of God.
Each bear other’s charges, and so ye shall fulfill the law of Christ.
Many tribulations be of just [or rightwise] men; and the Lord shall deliver them from all these [or them].
And God of all grace, that called you into his everlasting glory, you suffering a little [in Christ Jesus], he shall perform, and shall confirm, and shall make firm.
But also if ye suffer anything for rightwiseness, ye be blessed; but dread ye not the dread of them, that ye be not disturbed [or distroubled].
Fé em meio à dor
Os grandes homens e mulheres de fé sofreram e perseveraram. O sofrimento nos aproxima de Deus e nos leva a entender seu coração.
Then Job rose up, and he rent his clothes, and when his head was polled, he felled down upon the earth, and he worshipped God,
and said, I went naked out of the womb of my mother, and naked I shall turn again thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; as it pleased the Lord, so be it done; the name of the Lord be blessed.
Blessed is the man, which is chastised of the Lord; therefore reprove thou not the blaming of the Lord.
And he that taketh not his cross, and pursueth me, is not worthy to me [or of me].
He that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for me, shall find it.
And he raised up his eyes, when he was in torments, and saw Abraham afar, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he dip the end of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
And he tormented thee with neediness, and he gave to thee meat, manna to eat, which thou knewest not, and thy fathers knew not, that he should show to thee, that a man liveth not in bread alone, but in each word that cometh out of the Lord’s mouth.
Who then shall part us from the charity of Christ? tribulation, or anguish, or hunger, or nakedness, or persecution, or peril, or sword?
And if I part all my goods into the meats of poor men, and if I betake my body, so that I burn, and if I have not charity, it profiteth to me nothing.
But I was helped by the help of God [till] into this day, and stand, witnessing to less and to more. And I say nothing else than which things the prophets and Moses spake that shall come,
if Christ is to suffer, if he is the first of the again-rising of dead men, that shall show light to the people and to heathen men.
Pursue ye peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God.