Theological

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

One word strikes fear into the hearts of Christians around the world–theology! When most people think of theology, they think of bearded seminarians with tweed sport coats sitting in wood paneled rooms using words most mortals cannot understand. But “theology” simply means “words about God” or “the study of God.” Using this understanding, every time you pick up your Bible, you’re reading theology. In fact, every person on earth thinks and lives theologically. Every person has a worldview, an opinion about God (right or wrong, positive or negative) that shapes the way they process and make decisions.

Since your thoughts, intentionally or unintentionally, always precede your actions, your theology informs the way you deal with suffering. Let me explain. Quite often, when we are in the middle of suffering and pain, we think, “God is punishing me for my sin.” However, this is bad theology. Scripture clearly teaches us that every person who places their faith in Christ has all of their sin, guilt and punishment taken and forgiven by His sacrifice on the cross. Listen to Paul in II Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake (the Father) made (Jesus) to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.” When God looks at you, believer, He sees righteousness! That’s why in today’s verse, Paul says we face no condemnation! A believer’s suffering is never punishment for sins he’s committed.

Scripture connects suffering not to the wrong we’ve done, but rather to the good that God wants to accomplish in us (James 1:2-4). When you suffer, God is not pushing you away in punishment, He’s drawing you closer to receive His grace.

-Pastor Mike