Permanent Victimhood is the Death Knell of Sanctification
Beloved,
A few months ago I listed some truths that biblical counseling has taught me. I wrote,
“I have learned a lot of truths in learning, practicing, and teaching biblical counseling. Here are a few of those truths, and in coming posts from me, I will expand upon them.”
Permanent victimhood (PV) is the death knell of sanctification. God’s ever-present agenda for your life is that you come to be more like Jesus–conformed into His image (sanctified). PV creates the illusion that you are excluded from God’s goals. To be sure, all have been the victims of others’ sin, but PV creates the wicked fantasy that you are (A) Absolved of Responsibility to please God and (B) Afforded Rights, i.e., free to sin in response.
It is easy to get to the above (PV) if one starts with experience. If one starts with God’s Word, however, a different conclusion is required.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes,
“No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it (NET).”
That Paul can apply this admonition as an implication from how Israel lived and responded some 1,500 years previously in a vastly different context is instructive. The reason he can draw implications is that the problems humans encounter are more common than not. Common across times and common in all types of sufferings.
Not only are our problems common, but God promises to be with us in the trial. He is faithful. Thirdly, the trials that come to us are not beyond one’s response-abled faithfulness. Faith can please God in all suffering. Finally, each circumstance (“the” trial) has a suited way out (“the” way out). That way out is not getting out from under the suffering (“that you may be able to endure [remain under] it”).
- Problems are common…across cultures, times, and circumstances
- God is faithful…He will be with you
- Faith can/must cling to God…no one is under duty to sin (Puritans). There is NO circumstance where the only response is a sinful one–there is always faithfulness.
- God provides not only the trial (to grow you), but also the way out…there is always a way of faith that enables one to endure the trial to God’s honor
Beloved, do not allow anyone or any circumstance rob you of your response-able faithfulness that can make much of God in your trials. You are not a permanent victim. You are responsible, and God has made you response-able.
10,000 Blessings in The Wonderful Counselor,
Jim