I’m grateful that MD answered you for me.
He did what I am not able to do.
As for all the Scriptures you offered, if I had the time -—and the desire-—to respond Scripture for Scripture, I could offer just as many or more passages that could balance or perhaps even re-position and re-interpret the Scriptures you gave.
There is still that deeper, profound meaning of our call to bear the Cross of Christ, even to one of His Seven Words from the Cross, His cry of abandonment-—this redemption from His Cross for all those who are in darkness and need to be brought to His own marvelous light. It is akin to the sword that Simeon said would pierce the heart of Mary (Luke), signifying how she would share spiritually with her Son that burden of the last act of the crucifixion.
We are Christ-bearers, not just in words, but in the very participation in his Cross; “take up your cross and follow me.”
Our own St. John of the Cross wrote an entire book revealing the “Dark Night”, the “desert experience” and how it was a work of purification given by God, and not just only for our own sins and faults, but also for others (as other Simon of Cyrenes).
Mother Teresa fulfilled the beautiful words from Psalm 84: “when they go through the Bitter Valley, they make it a place of springs.”
She did that.
That’s a beautiful post, ROE — and it has the ring of hard-won wisdom!
I do not consider him as an infallible source.. But I will say that I have seen the saved die..and we do die well . Maybe sadness at the loss of life here.. but assurance and joy for what follows...
Nowhere does scripture teach that depression or doubt or fear of the loss of salvation cleanses the soul..
Life trials help us to grow in Christ if we turn to Him as our source... but the cleansing from sin was on the cross of Christ not St John of the cross