(c) Every human being has need ofsuffering in one or other ofits various aspects, penal, corrective or preventive.
2. In the field of Religion. (a) Beliefin a future life. Craving of human heart forjustice. man's own verdict on his sin. (b) Sacrifice acceptable to God. The root of sacrifice is self-sacrifice. Giving the best. Suffering has a mysterious value.
3.A modern attitude: ignore pain. (a) The avoidance ofthe Crucifix. A gilded Cross. Easter without Lent.
(b) The idea ofa God of love - no pain - neither the example or teaching of Christ.
(c) Pain, sorrow - hope,joy, love.
C. The Christian Approach.
1.Christianity once and for all has put the value before the painfulness in our thoughts - the Author and Finisher of our Faith. "For thejoy that was set before Him, He endured the cross. despising the shame." And. as St. Paul says, "Our light affliction. which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding weight of glory. while we look not at the things which are seen. but at the things which are unseen."
2.Face our problem ofsuffering. Gethsemane faced.
3.The Cross endured. Offer our affliction to God. Calvary stands... Suffering - sorrow - the greatest power in the world.
God is love - and love as we know it must be shown in sacrifice. The way to God is the way ofthe Cross.
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