There were several early Christian martyrs who were full of joy as they were getting tortured to death. All they had to do to stay alive was to denounce Jesus. They refused.
but yeah, many saints emulated Christ in embracing their cross. It was always a part of Christianity that confused me. If God is love and God is good, why is there suffering? Then going back and actually reading some of the saints... they thanked God for their sufferings. It brought them closer to the suffering of Christ. They would offer up their sufferings for others in prayer. And the Martyrs often converted thousands by their witness.
I don’t like when people question “why is there bad in the world if God is so good?”
God gives us agency to do whatever the heck we want. Unfortunately, that means good AND evil. It’s up to everyone decide how they want to live: either righteous under God’s laws or break them and risk damnation.
There were several early Christian martyrs who were full of joy as they were getting tortured to death. All they had to do to stay alive was to denounce Jesus. They refused.
is your jacket blue and your boots yellow?
but yeah, many saints emulated Christ in embracing their cross. It was always a part of Christianity that confused me. If God is love and God is good, why is there suffering? Then going back and actually reading some of the saints... they thanked God for their sufferings. It brought them closer to the suffering of Christ. They would offer up their sufferings for others in prayer. And the Martyrs often converted thousands by their witness.
I don’t like when people question “why is there bad in the world if God is so good?”
God gives us agency to do whatever the heck we want. Unfortunately, that means good AND evil. It’s up to everyone decide how they want to live: either righteous under God’s laws or break them and risk damnation.
(Not pointing this directly at you)
the question of evil never really gave me any confusion. it was more about seemingly pointless suffering. like sick kids, stuff like that.