My understanding of this idea in Romans 6:23 (which echos across the whole bible) is that it is our incomplete understanding; our lack of oneness with god; the disconnection between people, that causes us to sin. Because we are fragmented and imperfect, we fail to love each other and constantly hurt each other over and over again. So the only way to resolve this is through death where our identities might dissolve back into God/everythingness where we are atoned with it (I know this is more of a Buddhist framing of the afterlife, bare with me).
But it seems to follow that that equation also works the other way around: that separation (from god and from others) is a prerequisite for life. In other words to struggle and suffer and sin is how it feels to be alive--it IS life. And to find peace would be to die. Taoism seems satisfied with this answer but I suspect that Christianity is not (and I'm not sure I am either).
If life requires suffering then suffering would have to be a part of God's perfect vision, but it's not, right? Christianity has this concept of a new earth; new LIFE, which is distinctly free from sin. Metaphysically, I don't get it.
I have spoken to a couple of smart Christian friends about this and their answers suggested something important about us retaining memory of the suffering even once we are free of it, as well as the necessity of free will. I have to admit the theology of free will is still totally mysterious to me. In regards to memory--I don't really understand how memory could even exist in a perfect changeless state (i.e. heaven), but that seems wrapped up in the same issue of identity and life and relationship free of conflict (sin).
I'd really appreciate any insight on this issue, I feel like I must be misunderstanding something central to Christianity.
TLDR: How can perfection and separation coexist? 😂 hard tldr to formulate