Basic TrainingBible MinistriesGene CunninghamBasic Training Bible Ministries KBKnowledge Base

Describe an incident in the life of Jesus that illustrates the principle that sin in our lives is not the only explanation for suffering.

The healing of the man born blind, in John 9, illustrates this exactly. When the disciples saw him, they assumed his blindness had to be the result of sin, either his own or his parents', and they asked Jesus whose sin had caused it. But the Lord answered that neither this man nor his parents had sinned; he was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him, that God might be glorified through his life on that day. The principle is plain: do not assume that just because someone is suffering, he has done something wrong. There are more reasons for suffering in the Bible that have nothing to do with sin than reasons that do.

Also asked: Describe an incident in the life of Christ that shows suffering isn't always caused by personal sin? · What is the story of Jesus healing a blind man that teaches us about why people suffer?
Also asked, more loosely
What does the Bible say about the relationship between sin and suffering, using a specific story as an example?

Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 5, Lesson 5-4 - The Victory—Grace and Truth (Review q3) · Read this lesson in the book →

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Sufferingreasons for Suffering

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