Consider that quote at the beginning of the lady’s post. Then contemplate Plato’s dream. He dreamed of a kingdom led by philosopher kings, old men grown wise in their struggles with life.
Before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Plato had a glimpse of the truth. Our Lord does not want us to give up; He wants us to learn.
Hebrews 12:3-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Discipline of God
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:“My son, do not despise the [a]chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [c]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
I enjoyed her post, Tom. What you’ve added to it here makes me think of, “Do we not know we’ll judge the angels?” So philosophically we are much like children being raised up, trained, taught,and being prepared for something.
I’m laughing here, I have a terrible time working out, but that torment is actually not punishment or revenge, it is preparation and strength,not unlike boot camp. I think much of our suffering in the world is like that, we are learning and becoming prepared. Experience tends to bring wisdom.
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I have worked out on a regular basis since high school. I have learned that by exercising my body the way I need to use it makes it stronger when I need it.
What are we being prepared for? God wants us to become strong in virtue, especially love. That much we know.
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