Re: Faith in God

I wasn't bothered that you shared that; it helps me know where you are coming from. As long as you are not in that state of mind currently, which I don't think you are, hopefully. The thing is, I don't feel like what I am saying should make people that suffer feel worse. We are all sinners and sin is the cause of internal suffering. Here are two different ways someone could think about the situation:

1. 'I am a sinner but I have faith in Jesus Christ and although no one can overcome sin and suffering in this life, I have faith that in the next life all my sin and suffering will be removed'

2. 'I am a sinner but I have faith in Jesus Christ and just as He has overcome sin and suffering Himself, He will also overcome sin and suffering within me. Although I currently am still in a state of sin and imperfection, I have complete faith that I am as good as sinless and perfect in Him and one day in this world or the next I will no longer be in a state of sin and suffering.'

Why is the 2nd one more depressing to you? For me, the 1st one is a much more depressing situation. I have absolutely no hope of removing suffering in this life and all I can hope for is the great things that will happen after I die or the rapture comes? And although Christ has conquered all sin, He chooses not to help anyone conquer it in this life but only waits until after you die to conquer it. That seems much more depressing to me and does not agree with my interpretation of the scriptures.

You are a work in progress and Jesus loves you fully and completely in your current state, but that doesn't mean that He accepts you exactly the way you are or that would mean that He wants you to suffer. And although some good things can come from suffering and we can learn lessons through suffering, it is certainly not the type of existence that Christ desires for us. Christ desires for us to dwell in Him in love and blissful worship. I don't understand how this is a condemnation or a depressing doctrine, although it may be a hard doctrine to accept.