Redemptive suffering is the Christian belief that human
suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with the
Passion of
Jesus, can remit the just punishment for one's sins or for the sins of another, or for the other physical or spiritual needs of oneself or another. Like an
indulgence, redemptive suffering does not gain the individual
forgiveness for their sin; forgiveness results from God’s grace, freely given through Christ, which cannot be earned. After one's sins are forgiven, the individual's suffering can reduce the
penalty due for sin.