God and suffering

[Maria Billingsley]

Thank you. Well how do I connect a merciful and loving God and a God that causes suffering? Is there any way? A bit confused about that

Only through His Holy Spirit can one understand.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Suffering is part of being in the flesh like being in the world makes you subject to gravity. Cause and effect happens unless a miracle is wrought about. The example of Jesus’ suffering in silence was so as not to acknowledge wrong and exemplify right conduct in front of unbelievers.

 

[RaymondG]

Well could you explain the verses

I thought I did explain them. I guess I would like you to explain your interpretation of the verse......or why you believe your interpretation over mine?

 

[Mark Quayle]

So you think he does cause it?

This is a huge subject; volumes can be written on it. But I will try to make this as short as I can.

We are mistaken to attribute God with human emotions or actions-as-we-would-do-them. God is not one of us. To say that God 'wants' something, doesn't mean the same thing as to say that we want something. Nor when God causes something does it imply what we automatically take it to imply. God is logically and necessarily the first cause of everything "whatsoever shall come to pass". This includes sin, as he set in motion everything that fathered sin, but he himself is not the father of sin, nor the author of sin, but the cause of the circumstances by which Satan authored sin.

Logically, since God knew all things before creating, yet he created anyway, which creating brought about all those things, he caused them. That doesn't mean we have no choice, but that we always choose as he not only knew we would choose, but he caused our choices. This can be developed much further, but the basic implications should not cause one to object that therefore "God wants anyone to sin". Sin plays a necessary part in his plan —the Gospel.

 

[Mark Quayle]

"What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" From Job 2

 

[bling]

Hello brothers and sisters. New Christian and somebody posted this on Reddit on a Christian sub and it kinda bothered me


“Why does God want suffering?

Acts 9:16
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Phil 1:29
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"

1 Peter 4:19 even is translated sometimes as “suffering that is pleasing God”

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Why did he want/potential cause all of this suffering? Does suffering make you holier or something?”


Is this true that he does cause suffering concerning his followers? Not exactly well read on this books these verses are from but very curious

In the Rich man and Lazarus story:
God Loved that rich man so much he allowed/caused one of his wonderful servants (Lazurus) to provide that rich man at great cost to God, with the very best opportunity every day to experience personally Godly type Love, if he just helped Lazarus. God did this for the whole suffering life time of Lazarus.
We to, might be pleased to provide such an opportunity for others, but let us pray they will cease the opportunity God provides.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

For some reason I think that Christ was both Lazarus and Dives. Hard to reconcile one with the other, somehow needing a bridge to cover the gap. Something that needs to be reconciled before one can be a minister of such.

 

[Tolworth John]

So what does it mean by saying “his will”

Who is in control, God or the devil?
Yes God sends us happiness and also denies us happiness.
It is all part of helping us grow.

 

[RaymondG]

Who is in control, God or the devil?
Yes God sends us happiness and also denies us happiness.
It is all part of helping us grow.

God does deny us anything:
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

He set before us blessings and curses and askes us to chose blessing and life......But allows us to chose curses and death....if we desire it.

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

We only get what we desire, no matter what the desire is............ time to stop praying the, "if it is your will" prayer, and realize that we will get what we ask for....even if it is no good for us......scary as that will seem to most. But it is the only way to grow. Through suffering we will reign....

 

[Tolworth John]

We only get what we desire,

Nonsense.
We get what God gives us. Have you never read Romans 8:28.

All things work together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose.

Literally everything that happens to you whether good bad, nice or utterly horrible is for your benefit.
Not physical but spiritual.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Nonsense.
We get what God gives us. Have you never read Romans 8:28.

All things work together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose.

Literally everything that happens to you whether good bad, nice or utterly horrible is for your benefit.
Not physical but spiritual.

In fact, not necessarily even one's temporal benefit, but eternal.