tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400724563323239687.post7893989337458561309..comments2024-02-28T03:20:32.012-07:00Comments on E-Musings: David Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990151247190346091noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400724563323239687.post-67607907110979590182015-11-22T18:44:12.461-07:002015-11-22T18:44:12.461-07:00Dave, I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been experi...Dave, I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing a lot of trouble and suffering. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.<br /><br /><b>Four Questions</b><br />How many friends do we have that would display such commitment to us as Job’s friends who wept when they saw him and sat with him for a week without saying a word? Nevertheless, they were convinced that Job’s suffering was due to unrecognized karmic debt. However God is quoted as telling satan<br /><br />“And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” Job 2:3 NASB<br /><br />Imitating the refreshing Socratic style that you used in Seminar 70 at Stanford so long ago, I would mention that for integrity, the LXX uses the word <i>akakai</i>, which means innocence, good nature, and simplicity. <br /><br />First, I would then ask the question <br /><br /><i>In what way did Job still have akakai?</i><br /><br /> “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! That with an iron stylus and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:23-25 NASB<br /><br />Next, I would ask the question<br /><br /><i>Which of his words did Job want to have written down and what was it that Job wanted to preserve forever?</i> <br /><br />Once again, I am amazed and humbled by Job’s perspective, even in agony.<br /><br />After we learn in Hebrews about Christ’s suffering, we read<br /><br />“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8 NASB<br /><br />The question presents itself<br /><br /><i>What is it about obedience that Christ learned?</i><br /><br />The Apostle Paul also suffered greatly, and he attributes the reason for suffering to increasing our compassion and ability to encourage others.<br /> <br />“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NASB<br /><br />But in another letter, Paul ascribes another purpose to suffering, one that I find astonishing!<br /><br />“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Colossians 1:24 NASB<br /><br />And finally, I ask<br /><br /><i>What is Paul saying here about suffering and the body of Christ?</i><br /><br />DieterDieter Schlaepferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05223540155722093239noreply@blogger.com