#53 Why does Our Lord Send Us Such Suffering? 1. To Conform Us To Christ

In the third place we want also to consider why it is that our Lord God sends us such suffering. And the reason is that in this way he wants to make us conformed to the image of his dear Son, Christ, so that we may become like him here in suffering and there in that life to come in honor and glory [cf. Rom. 8:29; 8:17; II Tim. 2:11–12], as he says, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer and enter into glory?” [cf. Luke 24:26]. But God cannot accomplish this in us except through suffering and affliction, which he sends to us through the devil or other wicked people. (Luther’s Works, v.51, p.206)