I

In their belief in God, what people seek

is to obtain blessings for the future;

this is their goal in their faith,

this is their goal in their faith.

All people have this intent and hope,

but the corruption in their nature

must be resolved through trials and refinement,

must be resolved through trials and refinement.

In whichever aspects you’re not purified

and reveal corruption,

these are the aspects in which you must be refined—

this is God’s arrangement.

God creates an environment for you, forcing you to be refined

so that you can know your own corruption.

You finally reach a point at which you’d rather die,

give up your schemes and desires,

and submit to God’s sovereignty and arrangement.

II

If people don’t have several years of refinement,

if they don’t endure a certain amount of suffering,

they cannot rid themselves of the bondage

of corruption of the flesh in their thoughts and their hearts.

In whichever aspects people are still subject

to the bondage of their satanic nature,

and in whichever aspects they still have

their own desires and their own demands,

these are the aspects in which they should suffer, they should suffer.

Only through suffering

can people learn lessons, gain truth,

and understand God’s will.

In fact, many truths are understood

by experiencing painful trials, painful trials.

Nobody can comprehend God’s will,

recognize God’s almightiness and wisdom,

or appreciate God’s righteous disposition

when in a comfortable and easy environment

or when circumstances are favorable.

That would be impossible!

from The Word, Vol. 3. The Discourses of Christ of the Last Days. Part Three