You wrote: testing helps [sic] to sanctify us during our lives. You are making a relationship between testing and sanctification
And I asked basically what happens to those who are not tested (because there are people who go through the entire life as such), or to those who are tested in abundance (because there are many more who suffer)?
And you didn't answer that with you "testing helps to sanctify." How does it 'help', and to what degree?
If I may...
My wife suffered several different issues during her childhood that, because of her faith in God, have allowed her a certain amount of compassion for others who have suffered likewise. She is able to comfort, talk with, and council others who have suffered. Through all of this, she has been sanctified more. Also, as a result of my helping my wife through these issues, I have become more compassionate and helpful as I council my wife. All in all, the suffering has made us closer to each other, and more importantly, closer to God as we trust more in him. This is what I think Forest Keeper was talking about. FK, if I am wrong, please correct me.
And I asked basically what happens to those who are not tested (because there are people who go through the entire life as such), or to those who are tested in abundance (because there are many more who suffer)? And you didn't answer that with you "testing helps to sanctify." How does it 'help', and to what degree?
To what does your "[sic]" refer? Are you sure you are using that word correctly?
Anyway, I don't know of anyone who goes through life untested by God. Have you ever lost a loved one who "died too young"? Boom, you've been tested, etc. God tests all those He loves. I don't know who you mean by those who have not been tested.
For those who are tested more, they are sanctified further, as God wills. Testing is not the only means of sanctification.
I don't know how to answer "to what degree does testing sanctify us"? There's not a meter or anything. :) But as I said before, testing builds faith, just as it did with Abram. We experience (again) that we can and should trust God for everything. For example, a father loses his child to leukemia. Now, he can either blame God and run away from Him, or he can run right into His loving arms for comfort. He won't understand all the "whys" behind God calling the child home at 12 years old, but it will be enough for Him that God knows what He is doing and the trust level is strengthened. This is what happened to my pastor, and he continues to speak of it now and then when it is helpful to someone else. He says his faith is stronger and I believe him.