Romans 15 Lesson

ADVERSITY

Where was God when the last tragedy happened?

How come He did not intervene and prevent it from happening?

And will things be different in Heaven?

These are three questions that we will answer during today’s lesson, as we look at the related topics of:

1. Perseverance,
2. Endurance.

DEFINITION OF PERSEVERANCE

We will begin today’s lesson by defining the word perseverance.

According todictionary.com,the word persevere means:

• “Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.”

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT PERSEVERANCE

Now that we have defined perseverance, let us see what the Bible has to say on the topic.

For today’s lesson, we have chosen the following four verses:

1. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord   has promised to those who love Him.” - James 1:12,
2. “Let us not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.” - Galatians 6:9,
3. “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4,
4. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. - Hebrews 12:1-2.

CHRISTIANS' LIVES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EASY

As Christians, we are not told that our lives are going to be easy. 

Jesus’ life was not easy.

The Apostle’s lives were not easy.

So why should our lives be any different?

Sometimes, there is adversity in our lives for a reason. God uses the tough times in our lives for three reasons:

1. To discipline us,
2. To teach us,
3. To shape us into the people that He created us to be.

Think about that as you read the following two scriptures:

• “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13,
• “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5.

It is our faith in Jesus that allows us to persevere, endure, and have hope.  

As we study God’s word and grow in our faith, we come to understand that we can have peace even during the most challenging times of our lives.   Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians:  

• “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7.

THREE QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES

We will now revisit our three questions from earlier in today’s lesson:

1. Where is God when something terrible happens?
2. Why did He not intervene and stop it from happening?
3. Will Heaven be different?

QUESTION #1: WHERE WAS GOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED?

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained how God allows good things to happen to bad people, and bad things to happen to good people when He said:

• “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ” – Mathew 5:43-45.

The above scripture talks about both the rain and the sun. That is interesting.

On the one hand, rain is necessary to sustain life. It waters the plants and replenishes the seas.  And on the other hand, water causes flooding which can cause catastrophic damage and even death.

Similarly, the sun sustains life, but it can also take it (droughts, skin cancer, etc.).

When you read the above scripture, understand that it is talking about how God allows bad things to happen to good people, and vice-versa. 

QUESTION #2: WHY DID HE NOT INTERVENE AND STOP IT FROM HAPPENING?

There are two things that we must consider when trying to answer this question.    

The first thing that we need to understand is that Satan is the ruler of this world. 

It is not something that we hear a lot, but that is exactly what the Bible says! 

As you read the following four scriptures, thinking about how Satan is the ruler of this world explains all the evil we are surrounded by in this lifetime:

1. “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” - 1 John 5:19,
2. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 4:4,
3. “The ruler of this world will be cast out.” -John 12:31,
4. “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” - John 14:30.

The second thing that we need to understand is that God has a purpose for suffering.  He uses it to:

• Teach us,

• Discipline us,

• And to shape us into the Christians that He created us to be. 

God did not spare His Son from suffering, He did not spare the Apostles, and He will not spare us either.  

Instead of dwelling on our problems, we are encouraged to put our problems in their proper perspective and to see the bigger picture.   In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote:  

• “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:18.

QUESTION #3: WILL HEAVEN BE DIFFERENT?

The good news for us all is that suffering in this life is temporary and nothing compared to the joy that awaits those who are faithful to the Lord. Consider the following two scriptures:

1. “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” - 1 Peter 5:10, 
2. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” - Romans 8:18.

The Apostle John’s revelation gives us a glimpse into what Heaven will be like. 

Spoiler alert, it is going to be more beautiful than any of us can imagine!  As you read the following scripture, let it fill you with hope for the future and strengthen your resolve to follow Jesus.

• “And God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longerbe any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:3-4.

Will heaven be different?  Absolutely!  And while the earth is full of worldly problems, and earthly sin, Heaven will be full of the Fruit of the Spiritas described in Galatians 5:22-23:

• Love,
• Joy,
• Peace,
• Patience,
• Kindness,
• Goodness,
• Faithfulness,
• Gentleness,
• Self-Control.

Heaven is ruled by God and full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

CONCLUSION

The Bible teaches us that Satan is the ruler of this world. God allows him to rule for a period of time, until ultimately, he gets defeated and banned to Hell for all eternity.

Understanding this helps explain why bad things happen to good people, and why good things happen to bad people.

As Christians, our role is to follow the perfect example of Jesus, who endured and persevered until the very end.

When we do that, we can look forward to one day hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mathew 25:23)

We will end today’s lesson with the following words written by Paul to Timothy. They are the same words that we hope to be able to say when our time on earth is done:

• “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” -2 Timothy 4:7-8.