Christians: Does SIN/SUFFERING teach us a lesson?

Question

I believe that God allowed humanity and angels to rebel from him in order to teach us that if we wish to live happy that we need to listen to God instead of ourselves. I think that in the end, all creation will realize that God is the only rightful ruler of the universe. It is all for his glory.
what are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I think if cholera, or getting crushed in an earthquake, are his ways of teaching a lesson, he needs to work on his parenting techniques. You don't teach a kid a lesson by killing him.

Answer 2

All things can teach us a lesson, depending on how we deal with it. Now, although no man or woman is perfect, if we could be, I don't think God would want us to sin just to learn a lesson. Meaning, I think all necessary lessons can be learned without sin. This does not mean we can avoid suffering.

Outlook (purpose) is everything.

Answer 3

It's a luxury to say that suffering teaches us a lesson.

It's true that we learn things from life, and it is true that we will all suffer at some point in our lives, but to assume that this is divinely ordained assumes that God is some sort of abusive parent.

Do you think it's fair to ask a child in Darfur who has seen her parents killed by a militia if God has taught her a lesson through suffering?

Answer 4

If it was Adam’s decision to disobey God that brought sin into the world, why do we ALL have to suffer punishment?
If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that Adam is a fair representative for all of us. If a perfect person in a perfect place decided to disobey God’s rules, none of us would have done better. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” We all inherit Adam’s sin nature. We all sin, so we all deserve to die and suffer eternal punishment in hell. We must understand that not one of us is innocent before God. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Not one of us is worthy to stand before the Creator of the universe because we would each bring a sinful, rebellious nature into His presence.
In the beginning God completely sustained His creation without blemish. That’s why it was perfect. He held every atom together in a perfect state. He kept the planets in their orbits. He kept animals from tripping and breaking their necks. He did not allow people to suffer and die.
Deuteronomy 8:4 gives us a little glimpse of how things might have been in the original creation. “Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.” God is omnipotent and perfectly capable of sustaining and protecting his creation.
When Adam sinned, however, the Lord cursed the universe. In essence there was a change and along with that change God seemingly took away a little bit of his sustaining power and allowed things like suffering and death into His creation. Now He permits bad things to happen—and this is a reminder that sin has consequences and that the world needs a Savior. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
God took pleasure in all of His creation ("http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=revelation+4:11&version=NKJV"), but He loved people most of all. He allowed the created universe to deteriorate so we would see the consequences of our sin. If we did not see the consequences of our sin, we would never see that we need salvation from our sin, and we would never accept His offer of mercy for our sin. Most people easily recognize that there is a problem in the world. This can be used to show them that there is one who has overcome this problem of death and suffering—Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

Since the death/resurrection of Jesus Christ the Messiah.God has never put sickness on anybody,check the new testament.God's wrath was fulfilled at the cross.Sickness will be re-introduced in the tribulation after the born-again believers have been raptured and satan enters a man.Matt ch 24-25 also the book of revelation

Answer 6

First I must say that it does not matter what we "think", what does matter is what God's Word says.
All things were created by God and everything was created for its purpose.
Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Answer 7

As long as we as Christians seek the kingdom of God...I believe that is the "listening to God" part that you wrote. It is my faith that tells me God created the universe and that same faith drives me to read the bible, go to church, and learn God's ways. Not societies ways. I feel blessed to live in a time and a country that allows me to do that.

Answer 8

It is wise not to ignor this. I think there are also those that know this and have listened to God instead of themselves who have loved ones that are going through trials also. Sometimes I think watching those we care about going thru trials and tribulations is harder than our own trials at times. We pray for strength and wisdom then also.

Answer 9

You reap what you sow. You reap to the wind you'll get a whirlwind. You reap to fornication you get dieseases and deterioration of your body, etc. Sin will teach you a lesson if you are wise. If it doesn't teach you, you will be dead soon.

Answer 10

When I'm being an *sshole, it sure teaches me a lesson. You make a good point here...we sure haven't been very good "stewards" of the place, have we?