# An Analogy for God's Providence

**URL:** <https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/an-analogy-for-gods-providence/12912>\
**Category:** Conversation\
**Tags:** Theology\
**Created:** [January 1, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/an-analogy-for-gods-providence/12912 "2021-01-01T03:08:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 71

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**Author:** ![Michelle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.peacefulscience.org/michelle/32/7229_2.png) [@Michelle](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/u/Michelle)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2021, 12:37pm UTC](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/an-analogy-for-gods-providence/12912/71 "2021-01-08T12:37:56Z")

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> [@John\_Harshman](#):
>
> we seem not to be considering the problems of the non-elect. Why doesn’t God love them?

God does love all people.  
**2 Peter 3:9**

> Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But God is giving us a choice of where we want to be, with Him, or without Him.

> [@Tim](#):
>
> do Christians who fail to suffer sufficiently during their lifetime, or fail to disobey sufficiently, fail to get into heaven?

Its not suffering that gets people to heaven. Its learning that our sinful and selfish choices result in suffering, which makes us want to do things God’s way instead of our way. Thus, we become willing to submit our wills to His will, because we see that His will is the better choice.

How would people freely choose selflessness if they have not yet first learned of the negative consequences of selfishness? Has anyone ever seen someone automatically chose selflessness? One of the earliest words most children learn to say is “mine” and parents need to teach them to share.

Genesis 2-3 teaches that God did create heaven (the garden of Eden) on earth, and people chose independence and self-sufficiency instead of heading God’s warnings. People did not trust God when they lived in Eden with Him.

> [@Tim](#):
>
> what about children who have died too young to suffer or disobey _at all_ ?

They go to heaven. 2 Samuel 12:23

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