Well-Wisher?

Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” [Acts 26.28-29]

You've got to hand it to Paul, the man stayed focused on the Gospel Message even in his hard times. His statement to Agrippa here is clear: Paul said what he believed and encouraged others to believe it as well.

I want to point out an interesting little phrase though. Paul wanted everyone to become the same as him, "...except for these chains." Was Paul just being a well-wisher, or was he revealing something deeper?

In modern Christianity there is a predominant thought that God somehow wants people to suffer. There are "doctrines of suffering," if you will, that teach that God selects certain people to suffer certain things for unknown reasons (not specifically related to any sin). But is that correct? I don't think so and it appears Paul did not think so either. Otherwise he would have been a little more encouraging that the Christian life included bondage (chains), and that all should be so fortunate as him to enjoy not only the salvation but the suffering and bondage as well!

But Paul did not wish his bondage upon anyone.

If Paul, being just a man created in the image and likeness of God, did not wish his suffering on anyone (and it is seen as a good character trait), why would anyone accuse God of wishing suffering on anyone?

Why, like Jesus said, would God use 'bad-ness' to show His goodness?

"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” [Luke 11.13]

God gives 'good' to His children! And, like Paul articulated, God does not wish for His children to be in jail!

Father, I am grateful just to be able to call you "Father!" But I know You are not just "Father" but a GOOD Father! And I know that you do not wish suffering upon Your own children! I know that suffering serves a purpose on the earth to bring people to repentance - but not to show love - YOU ARE A GOOD FATHER!