This life is a testing place for everyone

[tonychanyt]

Why did God even plant the forbidden tree in the first place?

Angels cannot reproduce; humans can. God's plan was to create a man and a woman to reproduce. God wanted to select a faithful people to live forever.

How this selection works:

Every human is given a free volition and a conscience. He is tested in choosing to do the right things. Initially, there was only one test: Do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They needed to prove their obedience to God.

Why did God put the forbidden fruit so prominently in the middle of Eden?

Because that was exactly its purpose. It was at a prominent location to test the obedience and loyalty of Adam and Eve. Everyone will be tested/tempted.

If our body in heaven will be sinless, unlike our current fleshly body, why did God not just do that to begin with?

This life is a series of temporal tests before we receive the glorified body. Through these tests, we will find out who we really are. Will we choose to do good? Where is the proof?

Why didn't God prevent Cain from killing Abel?

Abel will receive eternal life (He 11:4).

Why were Job's children killed?

To test Job's faith.

Was it fair and just?

The story raised ethical questions about using human lives as part of a test or demonstration. It challenged notions of divine justice and the nature of God's relationship with humanity. Was it fair for the Father to send his Son to die for our sins?

Why did the innocent suffer?

Job and his friends debated about it in the book. Ultimately, the book invites us to trust God's wisdom and goodness, even when we cannot fully comprehend his ways. Ultimately, everything will be made just at the general resurrection on the last day.

Why does the LORD create calamity?

Isaiah 45:

7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.

I don't know all the reasons. One possibility is for the good people to help the victims.

Why does God allow suffering and Satan to hang around?

2 Peter 3:

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Jesus told us the good news and the bad news in John 16:

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Why does God make pedophiles?

God even makes use of the wicked, Proverbs 16:

4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Why does God let evil people live long and prosperous lives?

God uses evil people to test good people. Satan is the ruler of this world. This life that we are living is for testing our behaviors.

James 1:

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Focus on God and love and the positives in life. Focus on your eternal rewards for the hardships that you have endured. Luke 16:

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

In the end, God is just. We only live this earthly life once. Make the best of it. Revelation 22:

12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do innocent children die?

Even those who do not deserve to drink the cup of suffering must drink it.

We don't know all the reasons. One possible reason is in Isaiah 57:

1 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

Looking at it from the earthly perspective, there is no justice.
Looking at it from the eternal perspective, there is ultimate justice in God. God spares them from further testing. Genesis 5:

24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

Does God test our faith?

Yes, 1 Peter 1:

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This world is the testing ground. God permits wickedness in the world to test the hearts of man, good or bad so that the works of the godly might be displayed. If you enjoy wealth and health, what are you doing with your possessions? Ultimately, everything leads to the Cross and the glory of the Cross.

James 1:

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Is every test caused by some temptation?

No.

Why are some people tested more severely than others?

Luke 6:

20 Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

23a Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.

24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Some poor people are tested more severely than rich people in this temporal life. From the eternal life point of view, God will be just when he judges.

When you feel depressed, remember: this earthly life is a series of tests for everyone. Hopefully, you learn from these tests, and your tests will become your testimonies.

If God is omniscient, why would he need to test anyone?

The testing is done not to increase God's knowledge.

The central question of theodicy: If God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful, why does evil and suffering exist in the world?

To test people.

Epicurean paradox:

If God is willing to prevent evil but unable, then he is not omnipotent. Right, but God uses evil to test people.

If God is able but unwilling, then he is not benevolent. That would depend on your definition of benevolent. According to my definition, he is benevolent. He looks at things and people from an eternal perspective.

If God is both able and willing, then why does evil exist?
To test people.

If God is neither able nor willing, why call it God?

He is able but not willing. He uses evil for his purposes.

If God created us, why did he not rid us of our evil inclinations?

To test us in this life. After that, some will be resurrected to eternal life with no more evil inclinations.

See also

• Why did God make Satan?

 

[trophy33]

To test us. If we pass the test, we will go to heaven.

This is not Christianity.

Also, is the test standardized? Or do various people have various difficulty? One test or many? How many tests you must pass to get to heaven? And with what score? 100%, 80%, 60%, 10%?

 

[Ted-01]

@tonychanyt brother have you seen in your word studies seen the word /term "test" defined as "try"... as in "to try"?

Try - Mirriam-Webster

I tend to read "test" in the Bible as some of the usages for the word "try":
To subject to strain or hardship in order to examine the strength of a thing.

Though I think that God would already know the answer before He tests us, I think that He does it mainly for our sake.

 

[tonychanyt]

@tonychanyt brother have you seen in your word studies seen the word /term "test" defined as "try"... as in "to try"?

Yes, see Does God test/tempt people? and follow up there

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

So, you're saying "God needs" to have us pass a/thee test in order to "reward us?"

I'm not fond of any God in "need" scenarios, just between u n me.

It's highly unlikely God is in need

 

[tonychanyt]

So, you're saying "God needs" to have us pass a/thee test in order to "reward us?"

No.

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

No.

God's forced to reward us then?

You understand when you say no you (rightfully) defeated the (faulty) logic of the OP

 

[tonychanyt]

God's forced to reward us then?

No.

You understand when you say no you (rightfully) defeated the (faulty) logic of the OP

Please quote my words.

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

No.

Please quote my words.

"If we pass the test, we will go to heaven."

 

[tonychanyt]

"If we pass the test, we will go to heaven."

Thanks for pointing that out. I have modified the OP quite a bit to avoid that misleading point. Please take another look. Feel free to follow up. I will clarify more.

 

[Bobber]

Why did God even plant the forbidden tree in the first place?

To allow an expression whereby it could be shown that mankind genuinely had a freedom of choice. Without freedom there is no liberty.

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

Thanks for pointing that out. I have modified the OP quite a bit to avoid that misleading point. Please take another look. Feel free to follow up. I will clarify more.

"God wanted"

Not much different than the God in need story, really

Kind of like those who claim only God is Sovereign and then pronounce what that Sovereignty is and consists of, as if they think they alone know

The reality is only God is known and knowable only to Himself, in full

As to those who claim that God needs or God must or anyone who holds God's acts hostage to their own acts, nah. Not so much at all. Tall tales/tails

 

[tonychanyt]

"God wanted"

Not much different than the God in need story, really

How would you rephrase it?

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

How would you rephrase it?

Toss the whole self justification format in the trash and start over from the other direction

 

[tonychanyt]

Toss the whole self justification format

Can you quote my words where I asserted self-justification?

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

Can you quote my words where I asserted self-justification?

"He is tested in choosing to do the right things"

You do understand everyone fails? Continually so

The evil present within no one is ever obedient to God in Christ. It's not even remotely possible

 

[tonychanyt]

"He is tested in choosing to do the right things"

Does the above imply self-justification? Are you familiar with First-Order Logic? Are you saying you have never been tested and failed to do the right things?

You do understand everyone fails?

Right. Please quote my words where I asserted otherwise.

You overgeneralized my words twice, and I am having trouble understanding your reasoning. I prefer to interact with people whose reasoning I can understand. I would be happy to modify my OP to clarify if you can prove your point logically as you had done earlier

The evil present within no one is ever obedient to God in Christ. It's not even remotely possible

See The Paraclete DWELLS in you PERMANENTLY and follow up there.

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

Does the above imply self-justification? Are you familiar with First-Order Logic? Are you saying you have never been tested and failed to do the right things?

Point being, we are never sinless in this present life. Not even for a nanosecond

Paul pinpointed this matter quite succinctly in Romans 7, noting that even when he did good, evil was still present withIN him.

Jesus isolated the same matters as well, when noting that mere evil/lawless thoughts defile all of us, in Mark 7:21-23

So maybe, once you come to grips with that internal reality of an evil conscience, Heb 10:22 you can tell me how successful that evil conscience is in complying with and cooperating with any forms of testing, other than to prove the fact that we are sinners?

And I'd suggest the test in play is simply honesty

oar knot

 

[tonychanyt]

Point being, we are never sinless in this present life. Not even for a nanosecond

verse?

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

verse?

Well, you see, legalism to earning salvation was plastered all over your OP.

So with these kinds of positions that you promote, a very simple question comes to the fore, and that is:

Do you think you are sinless? At any time? Particularly when you think you are legally obedient?