Category: suffering and sickness

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #2

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

While Jesus Himself is not physically here to suffer, we suffer when we let Him live His life in and through us. The evil world system hated Him living during His earthly ministry, so it treats us with equal contempt. He told Israel’s believing remnant in John chapter 15: “[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

Matthew chapter 25, Christ addressing the unbelieving nations who mistreated that same Little Flock during Daniel’s 70th Week: “[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: [43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. [44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? [45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [tormented Messianic Jews], ye did it not to me.” The Lord identifies so closely with His persecuted people.

As believing Israel is oppressed for the Lord Jesus’ sake, so we His Body partake of the world’s rejection of Him….

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #1

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

Never, ever are we to reason Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary was in any way deficient, defective, or needing a “supplement.” Isaiah the Prophet described Father God’s assessment of Christ’s finished crosswork: “He shall see the travail [suffering] of his soul, and shall be satisfied…” (Isaiah 53:11). Hence, we read of Jesus being offered as a “propitiation” (Romans 3:25), a fully-satisfying payment or sacrifice for our sins. “For he [Father God] hath made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “[Christ] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). “And ye know that he [Jesus Christ] was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). If Jesus had a sin debt, then He certainly could not pay ours. Furthermore, if He—the sinless Son of God—could not pay for our sins, what hope do we sinners have in settling the debt?

While on Earth, the Lord Jesus was mistreated beyond belief, including being verbally attacked (insulted, gossiped about, mocked, challenged, blasphemed, taunted, lied about) and physically assaulted (spat upon, beaten, scourged/whipped, robbed of His clothes). All that suffering culminated in His crucifixion, when the torment escalated to extreme levels. Once He dismissed His spirit at physical death, sinful men could harm Him no further. When He rose the third day, He was victorious over the grave, never to die again.

The Lord Jesus Christ is not physically here on Earth, for He has been at His Father’s right hand in the third heaven for 20 centuries now. Yet, if they could, the people of the world would re-crucify Him in the blink of an eye, in the snap of a finger, in a heartbeat. Instead, they must settle for mistreating us believers….

Gnashing of Teeth

Monday, February 6, 2023

“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12 KJV).

What is this, “gnashing of teeth?”

“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth…. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42,50). “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:13). “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51). “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out” (Luke 13:28).

These verses describe souls suffering in Hell’s flames. Here, there is darkness, “weeping” (crying), “wailing” (screaming), and “gnashing of teeth.” To understand the “gnashing of teeth,” think of what we do when we undergo pain here on Earth. We grimace or frown, cry out, and shed tears. Also, we may even clench our fists or tightly close our jaws (recall the biting down on a stick in the days before the anesthesia of modern medicine!). Gnashing/grinding/grating the teeth also occurs in the spiritual realm, souls experiencing eternal judgment and feeling anger, despair, misery, anguish.

Indeed, Hell is a horrific place, but God has done everything possible to keep us out of it—and we will go there only if we choose to remain dead in our trespasses and sins. If we have not already done so, may we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died to pay for our sins and suffer God’s wrath as our substitute, being buried and raised again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)!

In Every Thing Give Thanks

Thursday, November 24, 2022

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).

Dear saints, take a moment this Thanksgiving to learn a valuable lesson from the Holy Scriptures!

God wants “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). To be “saved” here means you have been rescued from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire), and that you have a home in heaven, because you have trusted the death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for your sins. To “come unto the knowledge of the truth” is when a person who has trusted Christ, begins to understand why God saved him or her, and how God will use him or her for His glory. Although soul salvation is instantaneous, spiritual maturity is a life-long process (that is especially true regarding handling difficulties, the grace way!).

It is human nature to avoid difficulties and stress, to flee them, rather than confront them. This self-preservation is advantageous, particularly in “life or death” situations. However, running from troubling circumstances is not the way God has designed our life in Christ to function. Today’s Scripture says, “In every thing give thanks,” not “For every thing give thanks.” We do not thank God for our troubles; we thank God while we are enduring those troubles. This is tough, I know, but it takes time for us to learn it. Even the Apostle Paul had to learn this.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Be thankful in every thing. God’s grace is sufficient for you, dear saint, in all of life’s circumstances. When you learn this, you are “[coming] unto the knowledge of the truth.”

*Excerpted from our Thanksgiving 2012 Bible study with the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see, “What are our spiritual blessings in Christ?”

Tornado Day

Saturday, October 29, 2022 🌪️

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 KJV).

Exactly 20 years ago today, I awoke to some startling news….

I had been a high school student for two months. One particular morning, Mom woke me up early to inform me I would not be going to school that day. She had learned from a local television news broadcast that a tornado had just touched down at my school’s campus and caused significant damage. Heavy cinderblock walls had been toppled into some classrooms. The walls and roof of the gymnasium had collapsed and the multipurpose room—another enormous structure—had also fallen inward. If that tornado had come just a few hours later, students (including me) and teachers would have been there to be seriously injured or killed!

Out of school for almost two weeks, all 400 of us finally relocated to a nearby abandoned school campus. This small place had been renovated especially for us. To make up for lost time, we even had some Saturday classes. Being in that new, cramped environment was definitely stressful for all of us. We were not able to return to our old school until the next school year some 10 months later. “Tornado Day” and its ensuing trials seem only like yesterday, so it is hard to fathom 20 years have passed!

Dear saints, the above account illustrates how quickly life can change because of this sin-cursed world (also see Luke 12:16-21 and James 4:13-15). Natural disasters, illnesses, financial losses, broken relationships, and even physical death will come our way if the Lord tarries. We are “creatures of habit,” meaning we grow extremely accustomed to our surroundings and are greatly displeased when adjustments must be made. Though tomorrow’s challenges are uncertain, we can join our Apostle Paul in today’s Scripture: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In fact, he was writing as a prisoner (see the “bonds” [chains, shackles] of chapter 1, verses 7,13,14,16). When a “Tornado Day” comes our way, remember that it is our opportunity to let Jesus Christ live His life in and through us. Even if we lose our physical life during those conditions, we have still gained Heaven! 🙂

For Ye Have the Poor Always with You? #3

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

“For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always” (Mark 14:7 KJV).

“For the poor always ye have with you?”

Contrary to what some have asserted, the Lord was not opposed to assisting poor people or fighting poverty. As today’s Scripture suggests, He endorsed helping those less fortunate. “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good….” This was in harmony with the will of God already revealed to Israel in Deuteronomy 15:11. The Law of Moses had stated, “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”

“But me ye have not always.” This is in contradistinction to the poor never ceasing out the land. Christ Himself had just a few days left to live, for He was on His way to die on Calvary’s cruel cross. His disciples needed to get their priorities straight. They were to honor Him while they still had opportunity—that is, while He was still alive. He was to have superiority because His Heavenly Father had arranged it as such. The Lord Jesus Christ is the most important Person in the whole universe, which is why He will one day head all governments in Heaven and Earth: “…that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell…” (Colossians 1:18,19).

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). We should do what we can to help those struggling financially, especially fellow Christians. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). In this world of escalating inflation and rising unemployment, among several other societal woes, the Church the Body of Christ should be especially mindful of these simple verses.

For Ye Have the Poor Always with You? #2

Monday, May 2, 2022

“For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always” (Mark 14:7 KJV).

“For the poor always ye have with you?”

Whether Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John, or the anonymous woman’s anointing of Him in Matthew and Mark a few days later, there was that asinine complaint of “wasting” costly ointment.

In Matthew and Mark, it was the disciples in general. “But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor” (Matthew 26:8,9). “And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her” (Mark 14:4,5—the context of today’s Scripture). Regarding John’s Gospel Record, it was Judas Iscariot whining. “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence [300 days’ wages, or about 10 months’ salary], and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:5,6).

The Lord defends both women, replying with, “For the poor always ye have with you” (John 12:8); “For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always” (Matthew 26:11); “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always” (Mark 14:7; today’s Scripture). Jesus’ words here are frequently misunderstood. They have often been taken to mean, “There will always be poor people, so it is futile to try to reduce poverty in society.” On the contrary, but He was actually making an unfortunate contrast between Himself and poor people. Indeed, the expensive perfume could have been sold to benefiting the poor (that He did not deny or discourage), for there is always someone less fortunate, but He Himself had less than a week to live, so honoring Him was more important….

For Ye Have the Poor Always with You? #1

Sunday, May 1, 2022

“For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always” (Mark 14:7 KJV).

“For the poor always ye have with you?”

About six days before Passover, John chapter 12 relates the following: “[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. [4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, [5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. [7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. [8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.”

Only two days before Passover, Matthew chapter 26 tells us: “[6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. [8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? [9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. [10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. [11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. [12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. [13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” The parallel is Mark 14:3-9 (see today’s Scripture).

In all three passages, Jesus is quoted as declaring, “For the poor always ye have with you.” Let us study this expression….

Bible Q&As #949 and #950: “What is an “habergeon?’” and “Can you explain ‘bolled’ in Exodus 9:31?”

Messiah’s Joy Amidst Calvary’s Grief #2

Saturday, April 16, 2022

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).

Do you ever wonder what our Lord Jesus Christ was thinking about while He hung there on Calvary’s cross?

Jesus knew Bible prophecy had to be fulfilled: He had to suffer in accordance with the Old Testament prophets. Even when He spoke seven times from the cross, He quoted various Old Testament verses. The Old Testament prophets also gave Him comfort: “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (today’s Scripture).

For instance, He remembered that Jonah’s prophecy had to be fulfilled: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). On the third day, He would live again, and be reunited with His heavenly Father!

He knew that His Father would resurrect Him. His spiritual torment and physical death were only temporarily, as David quoted Jesus 1000 B.C., “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10; cf. Acts 2:24-31).

Our Lord thought of reigning over that glorious kingdom that His Heavenly Father would give Him after His resurrection. As the psalmist wrote centuries before Calvary’s crosswork, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:6-8). “Begotten” refers to Jesus’ resurrection, not His nativity in Bethlehem (Acts 13:33,34).

Jesus Christ, during His torturous crucifixion, thought about and rejoiced in the promises in the Scriptures that applied to Him. Likewise, we, during difficult circumstances, can remember and joy in God’s promises to us—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

We too can share Messiah’s joy amidst grief! 🙂

See our archived Q&A: “Did the disciples go to the wrong tomb on Resurrection Sunday?”

Saints and Silly Stories

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4 KJV).

Yea, today’s Scripture can apply even to genuine members of the Church the Body of Christ.

I have a friend in the grace ministry going back more than a decade. Once denominational like myself, this brother (through our ministry) came to understand and enjoy the Scriptures rightly divided. However, over the course of the last eight years, especially since his wife’s death, he has gradually slipped deeper and deeper into doctrinal error. While I have repeatedly advised him to be careful, he just continues listening to all sorts of weird people. He knows better, but he has become so addicted to these self-styled “prophets” and “prophetesses” because they teach just what he wants to hear. They further disorient him, increasingly seducing him from sound Bible doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

False teachers—especially in the name of supposed “Christianity”—capitalize on vulnerable souls who so desperately seek peace, answers, and relief. For over two years now, the coronavirus pandemic has greatly afflicted the world. People are worrying, hurting, and dying. Unemployment, inflation, sickness, and isolation are just some of the detrimental effects. Widespread political problems also contribute to unrest. Yet, here come “Christian” preachers with all their denominational doctrines, idly speculating as to what they think “God” is doing. Failing to approach the Bible dispensationally, they do not have a clue what the Lord is doing! Hearing my friend’s “tales,” I can see just how confused he is (and they are). Once, he even apologized after distracting me with certain stories he read online. I replied (most politely, of course), “The Devil is using them to distract you!” He was speechless.

Saints, no matter how “strong” or “dedicated” we are, we can always fall. Let us always be mindful that we are in a spiritual battle. If we are not daily arming ourselves according to Ephesians 6:10-20, the Adversary will certainly be merciless as he wounds us!

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “What does ‘several’ mean in the King James Bible?” and “What is the ‘maw?’”