Why does God allow adversity? (Part 3)
Why does God allow adversity?
This is a 3-part series on why God allows adversity in a believers’ life. This is part 3.
PRODUCES GLORY IN US
2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
Paul uses the phrase ‘light affliction’, even though he dealt with much suffering (as outlined in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and dealt with other perils. Our adversities and afflictions are considered light because of what God accomplishes through our adversities.
Romans 8:17 - and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Glory is tied to suffering. The glory God will bestow on us is larger than any adversity we are made to face.
PROVES OUR CHARACTER
Deuteronomy 8:2 - And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
God humbled Israel by bringing them to a place where they had to depend on Him. God wants our heart to be in a humble place. God corrected their character through their adversity.
PURIFIES US
Psalm 66:10 - For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
God blesses His people through testing. We will be refined as silver.
Silver is melted until the dross rises to the top, which is then scraped away by the refiner. In the same way, we are heated until we have no strength left. When we turn back to God, our impurities are scraped away. God then makes the silver pure enough to see His own reflection in the silver.
Isaiah 1:25 - I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.
God turns up the heat in order to restore His people. His goal is to save and redeem us.
TESTS OUR FAITH
1 Peter 1:7 - that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Our faith is tested because we are often ignorant of the faith we have. God tests us, so that the quality of our faith can be revealed. The test of our faith is compared to gold. Gold is very durable, but one day even it will perish. Our faith shouldn’t be like that.
We are given adversity so that our faith is tested. This test shows us the sincerity and strength of our faith, while also purifying it.
As long as we are here on earth, we must endure trials and face them through our steadfast faith in God.