07/30/19 GOD USES AFFLICTION TO PERFECT HIS PEOPLE

07/30/19 GOD USES AFFLICTION TO PERFECT HIS PEOPLE

Being conformed to the image of Christ includes being crushed, crucified, afflicted.
Accept it willingly.

PASSAGES ADDRESSING GOD'S USE OF AFFLICTION FOR OUR PERFECTION
(* I inserted line breaks to emphasize points)

GOD PROVIDES COMFORT FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFFLICTED
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
* 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 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.

* 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

* 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

CHAMPIONS OF FAITH ARE SURVIVORS OF AFFLICTION
Hebrews 11:32-40
* 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

* 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

GRACE IS GREATER THAN OUR AFFLICTIONS
James 4:6-10
* 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

* 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

* 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

* 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.