Suffering is real. It brings misery and woe into the world and we ask, What about God and the reality of suffering? Is God real? Does God care? Why does God allow suffering? These are but some of the questions that people ask.

In this post then I will take a comprehensive look from a biblical point of view at God’s role, if any, in suffering and God’s response to suffering.

Our Bible Quotation of Focus

Here is our Bible quotation of focus in this post: God says to humanity in the face of human suffering, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.

What does God mean by this? It is a promise of good from God to humanity, but you may ask, How can this be? Continue reading and you will see.

Also, you may be wondering what is, “Psalm 30:5.” It is a way of referencing the Bible which is a collection of books. As it is, each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. The quotation referred to as “Psalm 30:5” is taken from the book in the Bible with the title Psalms, the 30^th psalm (30^th chapter), and the 5^th verse.

Who or What is God?

I have mentioned God a few times so far in this post, but who or what exactly is God? Well, “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family.

Yes, God is a Family which is actually made up of three members living in loving, joyful, peaceful harmony. How do we know this?

The answer is that God describes Himself in the Bible by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. In other words, each of the three members of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others, and, in fact, this love is the only definition of true love in the universe.

Now, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. There has never been nor ever will be any disagreement or contention among them. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

Further, each Person in the Godhead, the divine Family, is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

Moreover, we can say of God in truth, “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” Jeremiah 32:17. For God is “him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Ephesians 1:11.

So, what are the names of these three Persons in the Godhead? Their names are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit” (Psalm 51:11).

OK, with this understanding of who God is, a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,000 years ago.

If God is Love and If God is All-Powerful, Why Do We Suffer?

Remember God’s promise of good to humanity? “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. Well, if we go back to God’s creation of the earth and His creation of the first human pair, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, What do we find there? A life of continual love, joy, and peace, and the absence of suffering.

So, What happened that there is now suffering on earth and it seems as if humanity can never escape it?

The root cause of suffering on earth is the existence of evil on earth. In fact, the root cause of suffering on God’s part and on the part of most of the other created intelligent beings in the universe, including the angels, is the existence of evil in the universe.

Yes, God suffers too! And so do other beings, such as the “holy angels” (Matthew 25:31) in heaven and the beings of other “worlds” (Hebrews 1:2) in the universe. But “Satan” (1 Chronicles 21:1) and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) are they “who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness [the depravity] of the wicked.” Proverbs 2:14.

Who is Satan? He is an angel who was once holy but who rebelled against God’s ways of love and became the originator of evil in the universe. Satan corrupted some of the holy angels in heaven by leading them to rebel against God just as he had done, and by doing so these angels also became evil.

And not only did Satan corrupt some of the angels with evil, he also succeeded in corrupting Adam and Eve on earth with evil. That is, Adam and Eve committed sin, which is evil and wrongdoing. As a result, Adam and Eve’s descendants, that is to say, the entire human race, have inherited their disposition to sin and so every human being has sinned.

What was God’s response to all of this? “God spared not the angels that sinned [because they refused to stop sinning], but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment [day].” 2 Peter 2:4.

However, God’s response regarding the human race is this: “For [although] the wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God [to humanity] is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. This eternal life begins, for those people who qualify, when Christ returns to the earth. Isn’t that wonderful good news? Yes, it is!

Now you may be asking, But what does judgment day and eternal life have to do with bringing an end to suffering? And why is it that some people will receive eternal life and others won’t? Well, God’s plan to bring an end to suffering in the universe involves all these things.

God Plans to End All Suffering in the Universe

As it is, God is not standing by all unconcerned about suffering in the universe. Indeed, God is very much concerned about its existence and He plans to bring an end to it all.

Why Didn’t God Prevent Any Suffering?

So, the questions that arise are, Why didn’t God prevent suffering in the first place? Didn’t God foresee it?

The answer is, “great is our Lord [God], and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5. Thus, God foresaw the possibility of the existence of suffering. But “according to the eternal purpose which he [God] purposed” (Ephesians 3:11), God never intended that there should be any suffering at all in the universe. Suffering was never part of God’s plan or purpose for the universe.

Therefore, when God created intelligent beings, including the human race, thus “saith the LORD [God], I…[did] put my law [of love] in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and…[I am] their God, and they shall be my people. And [thus]…they shall all know me [God, and my ways of love].” Jeremiah 31:33, 34.

So, “I [God] will love them freely” (Hosea 14:4) and say to them, “Freely ye have received [my love], freely give [your love to me and to all your fellow created beings].” Matthew 10:8. For God gave free will to all created intelligent beings so that they could choose between doing good or doing evil.

That is, God took the risk of creating intelligent beings with free will because God hoped that they would not choose to do evil, but would willingly enter into a loving relationship with God forever. For love cannot be forced but it must be voluntarily given.

We see then that God created holy, righteous, intelligent beings in an effort to ensure that evil with its accompanying suffering would never arise in the universe.

The Full Extent of Suffering in the Universe

When we think of human suffering, great as it is, we should stretch our minds to consider the full extent of suffering in the universe because of Satan, his evil angels, and sinful humanity.

Consider God first of all, for “in all their [humanity’s] affliction [suffering] he [God is]…afflicted [suffers].” Isaiah 63:9. In other words, God understands how we feel when we suffer.

And God says, “My [God’s] soul shall weep in secret places for your [humanity’s] pride; and mine [God’s] eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock [the human race] is carried away captive [to Satan].” Jeremiah 13:17.

Further, God says to the holy angels, the created intelligent beings of other worlds, and to the righteous among humanity, “Make haste, and take up a wailing [a loud, high-pitched cry in grief and sorrow with]…us [with the Godhead], that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters” (Jeremiah 9:18) for the wickedness and suffering of humanity.

This then is the full extent of the suffering in the universe. God suffers Himself, and all the angels and other created intelligent beings suffer along with God and humanity. Yes, God cares about our suffering.

So then, knowing that God cares about our suffering, we can confidently say to God, “Thou [God] tellest [keep an account of] my wanderings [in sin and suffering]: put thou my tears into thy [God’s] bottle: are they not in thy [God’s] book?” Psalm 56:8.

The Goal of an Eternal Security from Suffering for the Universe

Now you may be asking, Will there ever be an end to suffering? In response, God says, “What do ye [Satan, you who are Satan’s angels, and the wicked among humanity] imagine against the LORD [God]? he [God] will make an utter end: affliction [sin and suffering] shall not rise up the second time.” Nahum 1:9.

“For thus hath the LORD [God] said…yet will I…make a full end [of sin and suffering forever].” Jeremiah 4:27.

So then, given that sin has entered into the universe with its accompanying suffering, God’s goal in the face of this is to place things on an eternal basis. That is, God’s aim is ensure an eternal security of the universe from sin and suffering, in that, never again will these things occur.

But when will suffering end? Why not today? The reason is because God’s goal of eternal security for the universe cannot be accomplished by God in a moment or in a day as you will see. For every question as to why sin is evil and why it only brings misery and woe must be answered to forever lay to rest any desire in the universe to ever again indulge in sin.

The Elements of God’s Plan to End All Suffering: The Plan of Salvation

When Adam and Eve sinned approximately 6,000 years ago according to the Bible, they did not immediately die an eternal death. Why? Because God’s plan of salvation (the gospel), God’s plan saving humanity from annihilation to instead give them eternal life, was instantly put into action by God.

Four thousand years later on earth (over 2,000 years ago), all the possible agency of evil had entered into the world such that without an uplifting element from God, there was no hope of escape by humanity from their common depravity.

At that time, “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son [Jesus Christ]…To redeem [buy back from Satan] them [humanity] that were under the [condemnation of God’s] law [of love], that we [the human race] might receive the adoption [as] of sons [and daughters by God].” Galatians 4:4, 5.

So, “we see Jesus [Christ], who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of [eternal] death, crowned with glory and honour; that he [Christ] by the grace [the favour] of God should taste [the penalty of eternal] death [for sins] for every man [of every person].” Hebrew 2:9.

This was “made manifest [evident] by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished [eternal] death [which is annihilation by God], and hath brought [eternal] life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10.

Thus, Christ has made it possible for every human being to qualify to receive eternal life from God through their “repentance [deep remorse and sorrow for their own sins] toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.

For “the Lord [God] is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. That is, God it is “who will have all men [all humanity] to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth [about God].” 1 Timothy 2:4.

Thus, God has taken effective action to bring an end to all sin and suffering when Jesus Christ returns to the earth. Then even “the creature [animal kingdom] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption [of violence and suffering] into the glorious liberty of the children of God [those who receive eternal life from God].” Romans 8:21.

The Elements of God’s Plan to End All Suffering: The Glorification of the Righteous

Now God says, “For the Lord [Jesus Christ] himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump [trumpet] of God: and the dead in Christ [those who qualify for eternal life] shall rise [from the dead] first: Then we [who qualify] which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord [Jesus Christ] in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord [Jesus Christ in heaven]. Wherefore [Therefore] comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

“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.

This is God’s Judgment Day when the righteous among humanity receive eternal life from God. That is, the broken relationship between God and humanity has been mended, all suffering is ended. And so, God ensures love, joy, and peace, for such people for all eternity in the future.

The Elements of God’s Plan to End All Suffering: The Annihilation of the Wicked

For those persons who along with Satan and his evil angels refuse to stop sinning, God says, “I [God] will punish the world for their evil [as well as Satan and his angels], and the wicked for their iniquity [their wickedness]; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible [the tyrannical].” Isaiah 13:11.

“They shall be as though they had not been [had never existed].” Obadiah 1:16. Here God removes all traces of sin and suffering in the universe by the annihilation of all the wicked. Praise God!

Our Suffering Today: God Causes Us to Triumph

Yes, a glorious future prepared by God awaits each and every one of us as human beings, but do not despair of God’s help for our suffering today. Continue reading and you will see how God can cause us to triumph over suffering even now.

Suffering Through Intemperance

We come first of all to temperance which is the taking into the body only that which is wholesome in moderate amounts.

Now the original diet which God gave to humanity is this: “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat [food].” Genesis 1:29.

In other words, the diet which God gave to humanity consisted of food as grown in nature—grains, nuts, fruit, legumes, vegetables.

Notwithstanding this, the human race has chosen to eat the flesh of dead animals, to eat animal products such as milk, butter, cheese, to drink alcohol, and to use stimulants such as tea, coffee, and tobacco. All this brings suffering from various diseases and ill effects and shortens human life.

But what does God say to all this? God says, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims [on earth], abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11.

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to [obey] the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the…[disobedient]: for I am the LORD [God] that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.

With such a promise before you from God, to avoid sickness and suffering as far as is possible, ensure that you are temperate by eating a wholesome plant-based diet.

The Christian

In what follows, we will look at those people only “who have fled for refuge [from God’s anger against the wicked] to lay hold upon the hope [of eternal life] set before us [by God]: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast [steadfast].” Hebrews 6:18, 19.

Such persons are true followers of Christ, true Christians, and are those whom God can cause to triumph over all suffering by God’s grace, which is His unmerited favour.

The Christian and Suffering Through Empathy

With regards to the suffering of others, God says, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15. “Remember them that are in bonds [in unjust imprisonment], as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Hebrews 13:3.

In other words, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ [which is God’s law of love].” Galatians 6:2.

Then the language of your heart will be, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.

Thus, you will participate in the suffering of others through your empathy and you can, therefore, be a blessing to the world.

The Christian and Suffering Through God’s Disciplining

Now God says to all humanity, “My son [and my daughter], despise not thou the chastening [disciplining] of the Lord [God], nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord [God] loveth he chasteneth [disciplines], and scourgeth [flogs] every son [and daughter] whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:5, 6.

“If ye endure chastening [disciplining], God dealeth with you as with sons [and daughters]; for what son [or daughter] is he [or she] whom the father chasteneth [disciplines] not? But if ye be without chastisement [discipline], whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons [and daughters].” Hebrews 12:7, 8.

“Furthermore we have had [human] fathers of our flesh [of our bodies] which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits [of humanity], and live? For they verily [truly] for a few days chastened [disciplined] us after their own pleasure; but he [God] for our profit, that we might be partakers of his [God’s] holiness.” Hebrews 12:9, 10.

“Now no chastening [disciplining] for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised [trained] thereby.” Hebrews 12:11.

Be sure that you are “looking diligently lest any man [any person] fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15. For we often suffer because of God disciplining us. But God does this to prevent a greater calamity which is, ultimately, the loss of eternal life.

The Christian and Suffering Through Persecution

You should know that “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. Why? Because Satan is alive an active constantly seeking to turn every human being against God.

So God says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed [on Christ’s return to the earth], ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12, 13.

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14.

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” 1 Peter 4:15, 16.

“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” 1 Peter 2:19, 20.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile [deceit] found in his mouth.” 1 Peter 2:21, 22.

“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him [God] that judgeth righteously: [Christ] who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes [wounds] ye were healed [from sin].” 1 Peter 2:23, 24.

Thus, God calls upon the Christian to faithfully endure the suffering of the persecutions which God might allow Satan to bring upon them. For this suffering develops Christlikeness in them and, in the end, they will receive eternal life from God.

Suffering and Death

But what if persecution and suffering leads to our death? What then? God says, “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come [through Satan upon the earth prior to the return of Jesus Christ].” Isaiah 57:1.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD [God] is the death of his saints [the true Christians].” Psalm 116:15.

For “Jesus [Christ says,]…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live [eternally]: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11:25, 26.

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his [Christ’s] voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of [eternal] life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [annihilation].” John 5:28, 29.

We see then that there is no need to fear suffering that leads to our death, if we die as true Christians, for we will certainly receive eternal life from God.

The Christian and Suffering Because of Our Own Sinful Nature

Now God says, “This I say then, Walk in the [Holy] Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh [of the sinful nature]. For the flesh [the sinful nature] lusteth [wars] against the [Holy] Spirit, and the [Holy] Spirit [wars] against the flesh [the sinful nature]: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16, 17.

We see then that we often suffer as a result of our struggle with our own sinful nature which is contrary to God’s ways of love.

“But if ye be led of the [Holy] Spirit, ye are not under the [condemnation of God’s] law [of love].” Galatians 5:18.

Therefore, “war a good warfare; holding faith [in Christ], and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.” 1 Timothy 1:18, 19.

“Fight the good fight of faith [in Christ], lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called [by God].” 1 Timothy 6:12.

It will take effort and suffering on our part to overcome our sinful nature but by God’s grace, His unmerited favour, we can indeed overcome.

Suffering Because of False Christian Security

Now God says, “They [the followers of counterfeit Christianity] profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [disqualified].” Titus 1:16.

And “evil men and seducers [into sin] shall wax [grow] worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13.

For “while they promise…[others] liberty [freedom from sin], they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19. In other words, such persons have been overcome in sin by Satan and they live according to Satan’s ways of wickedness.

Thus, these persons “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men [persons] in destruction and perdition [and eternal ruin].” 1 Timothy 6:9.

So then, counterfeit Christianity which gives a false Christian security is the reason for much sin and suffering.

Prayer and Suffering

Many have cried out to God saying, “My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD [God], how long [before you, God, answer me]?” Psalm 6:3. How long will God allow me to suffer?

“LORD [God], how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah [Think on these things].” Psalm 3:1, 2.

“But thou, O LORD [God], art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah [Think on these things].” Psalm 3:3, 4.

“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD [God] sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” Psalm 3:5, 6.

“Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten [struck] all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD [God]: thy blessing is upon thy people [the true Christians]. Selah [Think on these things].” Psalm 3:7, 8.

Thus, “the full soul [the one who feels the need of nothing from God] loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul [hungry for God’s love] every bitter thing is sweet.” Proverbs 27:7. “For he [God] satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9.

So, every human being can say of God in truth, “Trust in him [God] at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah [Think on these things].” Psalm 62:8.

We see then that God answers the prayers of the suffering who call upon God in faith for His help.

Learning from Suffering

You may be asking, How do we learn from suffering? God’s answer is, “My…[beloved] count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting [lacking] nothing [in living according to God’s ways of love].” James 1:2-4.

For “take [note], my…[beloved, of] the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord [God], for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:10.

Such an attitude toward suffering, where all suffering, trials, tribulation, are received with joy works for our salvation to eternal life by the lessons learned, in that, it defeats Satan and confuses and frustrates him.

Suffering Leads to Hope

Now every human being can say of themselves in truth, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us [when Christ returns to the earth].” Romans 8:18.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18.

So, God says, “Blessed is the man [the person] that endureth [the suffering of] temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of [eternal] life, which the Lord [God] hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12. Thus, suffering faithfully in God’s sight leads to the hope of eternal life with God forever.

Conclusion

We are now in a position to understand what God means when God says to humanity in the face of human suffering, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. Suffering faithfully in God’s sight will end in joy one day, even in this life and surely in the life to come.

Therefore, we can all say in truth, “Because thy [God’s] lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee [God].” Psalm 63:3.

So, if you have not done so already, look beyond the seen to the unseen God and trust in Him by going on a spiritual journey with God, in order to mend the broken relationship between you and God.

The Bible Teaches Us How to Obtain Eternal Life from God

“In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word [Christ] was made flesh [was born as a baby boy named Jesus], and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” John 1:14. Thus, Christ, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13) is the One who gave the whole Bible to humanity, from the Bible’s beginning to its end. Further, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8), which is to say, Christ is love.

And every one of you as a human being are to “lay apart [put away] all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness [of wickedness], and receive with meekness the engrafted [the implanted] word [from God, which is the Bible and], which is able to save your souls [from annihilation by God as the penalty for sin].” James 1:21. For the word of God, the Bible, being implanted in us means that “the love of God is shed abroad [is poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. So then, “love is of God; and every one [every human being] that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. This is known as “justification” (Romans 4:25) which is accomplished by our repentance, that is, our deep sorrow for our sins and the gift of faith from God, which when exercised to believe God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin brings us the gift of love from God. Note that everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately upon our justification, God tests our character to see if we will successfully resist all temptation to sin. Our success depends on our exercising faith in Christ’s keeping power through the Holy Spirit and, hence, we become sanctified (made holy) and thus receive eternal life from God.

And this is life eternal [everlasting life], that they [as human beings] might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [to the earth as a Deliverer from sin].” John 17:3. Thus, when the whole Bible makes our character a character of perfect love, it means that we know God and, hence, we will receive eternal life from God.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

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