If we're already saved, why are we "tested"?
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Testing is about growing, not testing for the sake of testing. Our faith, our strength grows in times of trouble. We grow complacent and lazy when things are easy for too long. God is not punishing us, nor is he enjoying Himself watching us suffer. He is like a father who teaches his son to ride a bike. The kid falls over, and the father has him try again, even though the kid wants to quit. But dad pushes him on, not to be mean, but because dad can see beyond the immediate pain and embarrassment to the countless good times the child will have once he masters the bike. The kid can't see that the hard times are short lived and pay off greatly in the long run. So it is with God testing us. He can see the end result, while we focus on the struggle. But He knows we'll be better off in the end.
H
I believe as the Bible tells me, once you accept Christ and are repentant (its not enough to just 'want Jesus....LOVE....LOVE....LOVE) we need to recognise our sinfulness....on our knees. I believe once you are brought down to your knees, you are always saved but, many think they are saved and are not. We need to be sure we are....Also, God does love us and wants the best for us but we are often in disobedience to Him in many ways. The way we live our lives, run up debts, treat others etc etc. So, although we will still be safe with Him, we will not get the full Blessings He has for us. Living a life for Christ is not easy. We are told to 'pick up our cross' so its going to be a challenge...but a fulfilling one. I always remember an old soldier for the Lord saying, if you have not been challenged for your stand for Christ this past week....something is wrong) I can say this past week I was challenged by a dear friend over my refusal to partake in Yoga
Many Christians keep on making mistakes and blame others for their persecution...their suffering for the Lord, when in actual fact they have simply made very poor choices and are simply living with the consequences. Also, we live in the world, bad things happen to good people and being a Christian does not stop 'life' happening. Its how we deal with those disasters, the illness, the loss that shows others that we are different. Our treasure is not in cars and houses, trips abroad, earthly possessions...our treasure is in giving the gospel and witnessing one more soul giving their life to Christ, to being His hands and feet on this earth. Thats our job. Salvation is available to all, God wants all to know Him....thats what I understand from Christ but...not all will receive Him and follow. Many will call Him Lord...but will not know Him. We can tell who is in a relationship built on solid ground by the way the person lives, reacts to daily life and what they turn to in a crisis. Jesus Christ, Gods only Son, sacrificed on the cross for you and me. THE only way.God Bless you, In His Name, <><
Many Christians keep on making mistakes and blame others for their persecution...their suffering for the Lord, when in actual fact they have simply made very poor choices and are simply living with the consequences. Also, we live in the world, bad things happen to good people and being a Christian does not stop 'life' happening. Its how we deal with those disasters, the illness, the loss that shows others that we are different. Our treasure is not in cars and houses, trips abroad, earthly possessions...our treasure is in giving the gospel and witnessing one more soul giving their life to Christ, to being His hands and feet on this earth. Thats our job. Salvation is available to all, God wants all to know Him....thats what I understand from Christ but...not all will receive Him and follow. Many will call Him Lord...but will not know Him. We can tell who is in a relationship built on solid ground by the way the person lives, reacts to daily life and what they turn to in a crisis. Jesus Christ, Gods only Son, sacrificed on the cross for you and me. THE only way.God Bless you, In His Name, <><
Even Abraham was tested by God in putting his son on the altar. God tests us many times to see are you with Me or not. It is kind of like separating the wheat from the chaff. Also, in other countries that are not in the U.S., there is more testing and people getting killed. But because of that persecution, the church around the world is growing and many are being saved especially in places like China and other places as well. Just remember that God is with you and he can help through the testing. God bless.
I get that God is tolerant and forgiving. But what does the Bible say about weather salvation is guaranteed? If it is, then there can't be a "Hell" because everyone is saved. Because Christ died for ALL sinners, right? The murders, liars, fornicators (having sex with someone they are not married to), people who want what other people have (people who covet), people who envy others, etc. Basically, the whole world is forgiven according to the logic, "once saved always saved." Neither, Moses or Aaron were allowed to enter the promised land after leading the Isrealites. Why? Because, after God told them how to bring water out of the rock, they did not mention that it was Gods doing. The fact that they simply did not sanctify God by saying that he was the one who made the water come from the rock, meant in God's eyes, that they were not showing faith. And it cost them. God didn't say "Oh well, but you did all this other stuff right, so go ahead and be saved"(Numbers 20:1-12) That promised land meant "salvation" to those people. What does that tell us?
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Salvation is not guaranteed. Nor earned. We must accept that God is good in our darkest times, that His goodness is not dependant upon our actions or feelings.
God can see what our futures are. Many times after we struggle we forget the pain of the moments before. Just like that, God knows that we will not struggle beyond more than we can handle and that "This too, shall pass."
God can see what our futures are. Many times after we struggle we forget the pain of the moments before. Just like that, God knows that we will not struggle beyond more than we can handle and that "This too, shall pass."
Ok Nuns-n-Roses, now you're saying Satan tested Jesus? That means God is not the one or only one testing? Because so far, everyone in this thread has been addressing the issue as if God is the one doing the testing. I'm starting to get confused? How do we know which of them is testing us?
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N
Have you ever read the book of Job?
The truth is, Satan is the source of all sin and misery. However, God can turn even the evil in this world for our good. He works ALL things together for our good, even when we sin against Him. He allows sorrow to strengthen us.
For instance, I was sexually abused for several months by an evil man. I had lost my virginity that way. Did that seem fair? No. Satan influenced that man to continuously harm me. HOWEVER, God took the evil man out of my life. I have now begun training for a Sexual Assault hotline. I will be able to help those who are violated, abused in every manner, and I will have the passion and compassion to do so. God gave me the heart to do so.
That was just an example. I hope I explained it well, I know it's a difficult concept to grasp.
The truth is, Satan is the source of all sin and misery. However, God can turn even the evil in this world for our good. He works ALL things together for our good, even when we sin against Him. He allows sorrow to strengthen us.
For instance, I was sexually abused for several months by an evil man. I had lost my virginity that way. Did that seem fair? No. Satan influenced that man to continuously harm me. HOWEVER, God took the evil man out of my life. I have now begun training for a Sexual Assault hotline. I will be able to help those who are violated, abused in every manner, and I will have the passion and compassion to do so. God gave me the heart to do so.
That was just an example. I hope I explained it well, I know it's a difficult concept to grasp.
Do you mean to say that God is persecuting people, making them kill each other to push them towards churches? And that some how he doesn't like other countries as much as the U.S., therefore, he persecutes (tests) them more?
Maybe churches are growing especially in China, because they are likely going to lead the world to a global currency or a one-world system that works like it? Just a thought.
May Jehovah lead your way, thru his word and son, Christ Jesus.
Maybe churches are growing especially in China, because they are likely going to lead the world to a global currency or a one-world system that works like it? Just a thought.
May Jehovah lead your way, thru his word and son, Christ Jesus.
I think one thing you're missing is that God is not in charge here. He put us in charge; God's deal with Adam was I'll walk with you, talk with you, lend you an ear and give you advice, but what happens in creation is up to you. Adam gave that authority away to a group of beings whose sole purpose is to make sure that we a) suffer as long and hard as humanly possible, and b) blame God for it. Jesus has, in the spiritual, won that authority back; but He is yet to return and enforce it. That's our job here and now, to enforce in His name now on earth the authority He has in Heaven. But don't be deceived about who's beating you up. It is most definately NOT God.
I get where you're coming from. Though I find my understanding of things to not be quite the same as most, I know that God is reading hearts and taking account of things. It is only our concern that we, personally, show love and forgiveness to all and to pray for those who have hurt us. Because they learned pain before they caused it. We should want them to live and be saved. We are expected to love and forgive even the most horrible of men. They have not received their judgment from God yet, and they could become a brother/sister in faith. People cause pain because they are in pain. Jesus was especially compassionate to those ones. He also knows how much more difficult it is for you to forgive the man who did evil things to you. Have you gotten to a place where you love your enemy or do you just see an "evil" man? Because I think that takes the word compassion to a whole other level. A test of it's own.
Do you know the story of Saul, aka Paul? Saul persecuted, tortured and killed Christians relentlessly, and took great pleasure in it. He was considered "evil" and feared by Christians. Yet, the account recorded by Luke in the book of Acts starting at ch. 9 tells us that not only did Saul become the faithful servant Paul. He had to forgive himself and expressed deep remorse and sorrow to the people of the congregations 90 times in 14 letters; he became a spiritual teacher and elder among the very people that he persecuted so harshly. But what I found so amazing about the story is the love that God's people had to have to not only forgive Paul, but also welcome him into their hearts as a fellow Christian brother. He had to confront people whom were persecuted by him and who's friends and family members were murdered by him. Paul's humility and the Christian congregation's compassion is what God is looking for among his people today.
It's good that you are reaching out to other victims, you are in a unique position to be an example of healing thru love?
God willing your efforts will be blessed.
Do you know the story of Saul, aka Paul? Saul persecuted, tortured and killed Christians relentlessly, and took great pleasure in it. He was considered "evil" and feared by Christians. Yet, the account recorded by Luke in the book of Acts starting at ch. 9 tells us that not only did Saul become the faithful servant Paul. He had to forgive himself and expressed deep remorse and sorrow to the people of the congregations 90 times in 14 letters; he became a spiritual teacher and elder among the very people that he persecuted so harshly. But what I found so amazing about the story is the love that God's people had to have to not only forgive Paul, but also welcome him into their hearts as a fellow Christian brother. He had to confront people whom were persecuted by him and who's friends and family members were murdered by him. Paul's humility and the Christian congregation's compassion is what God is looking for among his people today.
It's good that you are reaching out to other victims, you are in a unique position to be an example of healing thru love?
God willing your efforts will be blessed.
N
Yes, I have forgiven him. I talked to him awhile ago to let go of the past and he is still up to misdeeds. I pray for him of course, as I hold no anger towards him. I can honestly say I have forgiven him now and wish for nothing but the best for him so that he can change his course in life and for others. I wish no harm upon him. If God asked if I should send him to hell for what he has done I would say no (not that it's up to me).
I only call him evil by his actions in the past, which were evil. He was involved in much more than raping me. He was literally plagued by demons as he told me himself.
Hugs dear~<3
I only call him evil by his actions in the past, which were evil. He was involved in much more than raping me. He was literally plagued by demons as he told me himself.
Hugs dear~<3
A
I do not think it is unreasonable. testing, trials, and adversities are what God uses to grow and mature us. But, He didn't simply send jesus to die for us and provide salvation so we could sit back in church every week and be comfortable in that salvation. He wants us to grow in our knowledge of Him.
Testing makes us grow closer and learn to rely on Him. Is it fun? NO...He does not take pleasure in our pain and suffering. He also does not remove us from trials. But, He does promise to be with us THROUGH the trials.
Testing makes us grow closer and learn to rely on Him. Is it fun? NO...He does not take pleasure in our pain and suffering. He also does not remove us from trials. But, He does promise to be with us THROUGH the trials.