FK, you said that testing helps [sic] to sanctify us during our lives. You are making a relationship between testing and sanctification, a is a function of b. But you neither prove the existence, nor do you define the nature of this relationship. If there is no testing, does that mean there is no sanctification? If there is abundance of testing, does that mean there is abundance of sanctification?
Does that mean that the "unlucky" ones who are never tested, the happy-go-lucky folks, never get sanctified? You simply shoot from the hip, making extraordinary claims without providing extraordinary evidence/proof that your claims are valid.
You may very well believe what you say, but it is only your belief, not a fact. Facts require proof. If you said "I believe testing helps sanctify us during our lives" I would have simply accepted that as your personal belief.
Kosta, I used the word "helps". No formula, no equation, just "helps". Is that really so complicated? All of us will be tested, and all of us will grow as a result of the testing. It is a good thing, even though we probably won't appreciate it as such at the time, although Paul DID. God tests when and where He deems appropriate. There is no scorecard. Scripture:
1 Thess 2:4 : On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
1 Chron 29:17 : I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
Ps 105:19 : 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. KJV