If God Knows our hearts why do so many people insist that he test our faith? And if he loves us more than we love our own,how can can he be responsible for our suffering?
2006-08-11 17:17:39 · 19 answers · asked by 44 years old 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
he gave us free will, so we're responsible for our own suffering.
sorry i can't answer both questions.
2006-08-11 17:23:18 · answer #1 · answered by mj 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think we are put through trials not because any surprises are going to be revealed to God, but for us to see what is truly there, within us. Don't you find it interesting, in a challenge, to see how you react to it? You learn something about yourself. I think it's very much the same. If you are a Christian, many things will come your way that may challenge your faith, challenge you to see if you are a "doer" of the word, not a hearer only. I say, bring them on. I want to be tested and tried, and purified. Because I know it's God that is making me into the image of His son in all these things.
I don't believe God is responsible for suffering. I believe sin is. Most of the suffering, not all...but a great deal, in my life was caused by my own bad choices. On the contrary, it is God that has taken me out of that suffering and placed my feet upon the rock of His word. His word promises that He works all things for good. And He has. There is nothing in my life God has not transformed and used to make me stronger in my faith and assurance that I can trust Him.
2006-08-11 17:33:42 · answer #2 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he tests our faith so that WE can see what's in our hearts.Also he sometimes uses suffering people to minister to others and serve as an example. (check out the book of Job) Also I think he allows trials not so much to test us, but rather to refine us. I think some suffering is a result of God's will, but some is our own fault. We make mistakes and then get mad at the consequences. Tough questions. No black and white answers.
2006-08-11 17:27:01 · answer #3 · answered by Puff 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The real question is, why do we view suffering as "God's testing?" Suffering, as we know it, resulted from the fall of man. Sin carries with it suffering. God sometimes allow suffering in our lives to make us stronger in our faith, maybe to teach us something, or to catch our attention when we're doing wrong. Nobody likes suffering. But as gold is refined when it goes through fire, so will your faith be when you go through it.
2006-08-11 18:03:54 · answer #4 · answered by TY 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way he can know our heart is to test our faith in him.
God made a promise to Abraham in his old age stating he would the father of fruitful and plentiful nation. God kept his promise and blessed Abraham with a son named Isaac. The Lord put Abraham to the ultimate any loving parent would dread more than their own life- God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac to prove his faith in his word.
Abraham obeyed God's commands and was about inches on killing his son, when the angel of the Lord commanded Abraham not to harm the boy. Abraham passed the test,he was willing give up the life of his son to remain faithful to the Lord.
I think it is small price considering God not forsake his only begotten son to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind!
2006-08-11 17:32:10 · answer #5 · answered by isbros 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps He wants to see if the heart can move the hand; as for the question of suffering, I can only explain it to myself by concluding that suffering is an illusion, that we only suffer because we are in some way deluded and the truth is obscured. I don't think it is an evil inflicted upon us; however, it is a part of life on Earth and I've never figured out a way to stop it. I try not to inflict it on others, though!
2006-08-11 17:25:29 · answer #6 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
wow noones answering this ione yet! or maybe there just typing out long answers so its taking some time, im not a christian but i understand alot of there beleifs, i think the idea of testing a persons faith has less to do with god trying to figure out if there truley loayl and more to do with strenghthing them and showing THEN there own faith, knowing your faith and being tested will inevitably either make you a stronger christian OR cause you to lose your faith , so in short he sees where your at and see reason to strengthen you, wether it be because you lack faith and need to realize your lacking faith or because you are strong in faith and will strengthen more or strengthen others by facing a trial and keeping your faith. i think many time though when people think there being "tested" in all reality its just life and its normal inevitable trials. oh and as far as suffering , i think considering christians beleive that we live for eternity what happens in this little shrt life is not really that important, at least as far as our suffering, the rewards of heaven are supposed to make up for all suffering.
2006-08-11 17:28:03 · answer #7 · answered by None 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Hi Lisa.
Here is the answer from the Bible:
(James 1:13) 13 When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.
So God does not test us... want to learn more??
Mike.
2006-08-11 18:10:02 · answer #8 · answered by ijeepbc 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes God allows things to happen to draw us closer to Him. He wants us to put our Faith and Trust in Him.God does not cause our suffering. We bring it upon ourselves by taking our eyes off of Him. That's why it is very important to walk close to the Lord. We have to just Trust Him. Not question Him.
2006-08-12 08:28:07 · answer #9 · answered by concerned 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have free will. God made us like that. If he didn't we'd all be a bunch of mindless robots. Suffering is part of the human condition. We all deal with it. It's part of life. Jesus Christ helps us deal with it when we trust in him. He suffered a lot too and came out victorious. So can we.
2006-08-11 17:30:55 · answer #10 · answered by jesus_lover1962 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
God is NOT responsible for our suffering. It is satan! God DO NOT test us. Sometime He allow certain things to happen so that we might see His glory.
2006-08-11 17:41:20 · answer #11 · answered by The Redeemed 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋