“Why is there suffering?” is a difficult and persistent philosophical question. The question goes beyond simple conjecture because behind it lurks another question: “Why do I suffer?”
We have professed our faith so God can’t be punishing us; we’re adopted into God’s family so God can’t have deserted us. So why do we suffer?
The goal of the Christian life is growth in holiness, and the Holy Spirit makes us holy through sanctification. While sanctification is the Spirit’s work, we actively participate in the process of purging sin and embracing holy living.
Romance literature and fancy use “compatibility” as a determinant for long-lasting harmony in relationships. However, the true meaning of the word is “to suffer with.”
Suffering is, therefore, necessary in and for the perfection of human love. It is the cleansing of the soul of everything that is not of love.
1 Peter 4:1 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.”
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