Why do bad things happen to good people

self

[Atomic Vomit]

Thank you for doing such a beautiful job of articulating what we believe. It broke my heart for the Anglicans that their Archbishop can’t make any sort of cogent statement about this subject. It is foundational.

God bless you.

Mrs. AV

[mlizzy]

Jesus is lonely up there on the Cross; he wishes his strongest to join him, to help purify the world. If you believe in him, he will not make your suffering unbearable; he promised us so in the Bible, but he skates very close to that line. It's at that time one should leap for joy (however, I've only seen saints do that:)), because he's using the suffering (you must offer it up!) for the greater good of mankind. "Jesus I trust you," cannot be repeated often enough for those who have had [bad] sad things happen to [for] them.

[metmom]

Jesus is lonely up there on the Cross;

Jesus isn't on the cross any more. HE was buried and rose again, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His own.

he wishes his strongest to join him,

It's only Satan who wants to see a powerless, impotent Jesus, still nailed securely to the cross and wanting to put us into bondage by placing us there as well.

Jesus didn't come to make us suffer. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

He came to set us free and whoever He sets free is free indeed.

to help purify the world.

Nobody is purifying the world until God creates the new heavens and the new earth where sin is banished forever.

Until then creation groans, longing to be released from the bondage that it's in.

he will not make your suffering unbearable; he promised us so in the Bible, but he skates very close to that line.

Oh really? Chapter and verse?

[Alamo-Girl]

I'll take joy over happiness any day and as you said, God is leading us THROUGH trials to learn joy.

Praise God!

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and testimony, dear sister in Christ!

[mlizzy]

Oh really? Chapter and verse?

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. -1 Corinthians 10:13

[Salvation]

JOY = Jesus Others You

[metmom]

God does not make us suffer at all, much less make our suffering unbearable.

True that He does not let us be tempted above what we’re able to bear, but that’s different from Him inflicting suffering on us, allegedly to purify us or the world.

There’s not one Scripture that supports the notion that suffering purifies anything.

[boatbums]

Amen! ☺

[mlizzy]

Jesus isn't on the cross any more. HE was buried and rose again, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His own.

How do you feel about celebrating baby Jesus on Christmas, even though he's no longer a baby? And on Easter, is it okay to remember [and suffer with] Jesus on his Cross? Or should his suffering be forgotten at that time too?

It's only Satan who wants to see a powerless, impotent Jesus, still nailed securely to the cross and wanting to put us into bondage by placing us there as well. Jesus didn't come to make us suffer.

I have never heard the term "impotent Jesus." It sounds horribly disrespectful. Is that the intent? We have parishioners who touch and kiss Christ's wounds on the Cross every day [for comfort]. I couldn't get by very well without the Cross either. We have a crucifix in every room. You know all the saints suffered, in one way or another as well, actually desiring to do so for Our Lord.

[mlizzy]

There’s not one Scripture that supports the notion that suffering purifies anything.

Didn't Jesus's suffering help purify you?

[Pelham]

“Didn’t Jesus’s suffering help purify you?”

His death actually, which is substitutionary atonement and unique.

[mlizzy]

His death actually...

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake... -Col 1:24

[mlizzy]

God does not make us suffer at all, much less make our suffering unbearable.

Everything that happens in this world is allowed by God; a lot of people suffer.

True that He does not let us be tempted above what we’re able to bear, but that’s different from Him inflicting suffering on us, allegedly to purify us or the world.

Look at Ted Kennedy. I don't know if he repented on his deathbed, but he was allowed a long time to suffer by Jesus, to help purify his soul. Suffering is Jesus's border collie.

[metmom]

How do you feel about celebrating baby Jesus on Christmas, even though he's no longer a baby? And on Easter, is it okay to remember [and suffer with] Jesus on his Cross? Or should his suffering be forgotten at that time too?

I serve the RISEN Lord.

I don't celebrate *baby Jesus*.

And at Easter the focus is on the resurrection, not the suffering. The suffering didn't save us. The dying and rising again did.

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

Suffering doesn't cleanse us from sin. It doesn't please God. There is nowhere in Scripture where we are told to offer up anything to God, must less our suffering.

I have never heard the term "impotent Jesus." It sounds horribly disrespectful. Is that the intent? We have parishioners who touch and kiss Christ's wounds on the Cross every day [for comfort]. I couldn't get by very well without the Cross either. We have a crucifix in every room. You know all the saints suffered, in one way or another as well, actually desiring to do so for Our Lord.

Why do people want to suffer *for Jesus*? Do they think that pleases Him somehow? That they're more spiritual for it? What?

[metmom]

Didn't Jesus's suffering help purify you?

Nope. The shedding of His blood, His death and resurrection cleanse me from my sin.

Suffering doesn't because it can't. Nothing atones for sin but death.

[metmom]

Everything that happens in this world is allowed by God; a lot of people suffer.

Yup. That's true.

Look at Ted Kennedy. I don't know if he repented on his deathbed, but he was allowed a long time to suffer by Jesus, to help purify his soul. Suffering is Jesus's border collie.

Suffering can get our attention, but it does nothing to purify us. It can't because that's not it's job. If that's what it took, then Jesus didn't need to die. All we'd have to do is suffer ourselves and it'd be a done deal.

[lupie]

Thank you metmom. I covet prayers. There is no way that I can keep my home, but I do have my eye on a much smaller and affordable one that I strongly feel is for me. I just don’t know how that will happen - yet. But the Lord will provide. Of that I am certain.

[mlizzy]

Suffering can get our attention, but it does nothing to purify us. It can't because that's not it's job.

What is the purpose of suffering then?

[metmom]

Suffering happens. It’s part of this world. And people have been asking that question for ages and still not come up with a good answer for it.

Perhaps that’s why some have developed the mentality that it serves a purpose and that it somehow makes us worthy, or shows God how spiritual or pious we are if we *endure* it and *offer* it up to Him.

Sometimes we suffer because of the consequences of wrong doing in our lives. Other times people suffer for righteousness sake.

It happens in this world, but there’s NOTHING in Scripture that says it has any ability to cleanse us, purify us, that we should offer it up to God as a kind of sacrifice or offering.

Our debt for sin was paid for in full by the death of Christ. Suffering cannot add to it. I know people like to feel that somehow they can contribute to their salvation somehow, but if they can, then the death of Christ was not adequate to attain salvation for us.

About the only reason that I can see for suffering, is that it draws us or leads us, or pushes us to God. And that’s just an observation I’ve made from my own life. It’s the times of suffering that have pushed me into seeking Him.

I don’t know anyone who thinks, “Gee, life is pretty good. I have a good thing going. I can see that I need God.”

Often it’s only when we reach the end of ourselves that we turn to Him.

[mlizzy]

About the only reason that I can see for suffering, is that it draws us or leads us, or pushes us to God. And that’s just an observation I’ve made from my own life. It’s the times of suffering that have pushed me into seeking Him.

Yes, exactly! We are on the same page....