johnthebaptist Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.29 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Share Posted June 5, 2020 Why do Christians suffer? After all, it really isn’t a good selling point, is it, if I say, “Come be a Christian and suffer”? Experience tells me the reason we suffer is that we’ve all sinned, and sin has unpleasant consequences. There is an obvious lesson to be learned from this, isn’t there, if one understands that God forgives repentant sinners? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotical Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 12 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 183 Content Per Day: 0.13 Reputation: 106 Days Won: 0 Joined: 05/17/2020 Status: Offline Share Posted June 5, 2020 What one Christian may see as suffering another will see as a trial. To label something you are going through as "suffering" is to have a rather pessimistic view. What is truly happening is a trial which is meant to build you up and equip you will skills and tools for later use. Christians are not punished for their sin, as they no longer live under the curse of the law; however, that does not mean Christians don't sin. They absolutely do, and God continually works on them so they sin less, but they are not sinless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortangel Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Senior Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 48 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 839 Content Per Day: 0.44 Reputation: 634 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/12/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted June 5, 2020 that's a great question the book of Job talks alot about suffering, this book explains about what God says about the subject Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BibleStudent100 Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 11 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 416 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 357 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/01/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted June 5, 2020 1 hour ago, johnthebaptist said: Why do Christians suffer? After all, it really isn’t a good selling point, is it, if I say, “Come be a Christian and suffer”? Many of God’s servants are in situations that involve personal suffering. To list in what ways we suffer would be to create a list that would hardly end. Our suffering continues because God has not yet destroyed the wicked and brought about the foretold restoration of mankind, but we should not become embittered, because we can see such situations as opportunities to have a share in proving the Devil a liar. We can be strengthened to continue resisting the Evil One if we keep in mind the appeal: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” (Proverbs 27:11) Satan, the one who taunts God, charged that if people suffer material loss or physical affliction, they will blame God, even curse him. (Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5) We bring joy to God's heart when, by our loyalty to him in the face of hardships, we show that such is not true in our case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.29 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Knotical said: What one Christian may see as suffering another will see as a trial. To label something you are going through as "suffering" is to have a rather pessimistic view. What is truly happening is a trial which is meant to build you up and equip you will skills and tools for later use. Christians are not punished for their sin, as they no longer live under the curse of the law; however, that does not mean Christians don't sin. They absolutely do, and God continually works on them so they sin less, but they are not sinless. God doesn't punish us for our sin, but there are unpleasant consequences that result from our sin, and if we remain unrepentant, the Lord allows us to experience those unpleasant consequences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchesofHim Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 211 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 1,463 Content Per Day: 0.21 Reputation: 759 Days Won: 1 Joined: 01/09/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 01/23/1966 Share Posted June 5, 2020 1 Peter 4:[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotical Posted June 5, 2020 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 12 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 183 Content Per Day: 0.13 Reputation: 106 Days Won: 0 Joined: 05/17/2020 Status: Offline Share Posted June 5, 2020 13 minutes ago, johnthebaptist said: God doesn't punish us for our sin, but there are unpleasant consequences that result from our sin, and if we remain unrepentant, the Lord allows us to experience those unpleasant consequences. Which can be seen as part of a trial, rather than a punishment. Ostensibly a punishment has no positive benefit for the recipient, whereas a trial, or discipline, has an intended positive outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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