Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? This is one of the most difficult questions in all of theology. God is eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. Why should human beings (not eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent) expect to be able to fully understand Gods ways? The book of Job deals with this issue. God had allowed Satan to do everything he wanted to Job except kill him. What was Jobs reaction? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15). The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised (Job 1:21). Job did not understand why God had allowed the things He did, but he knew God was good and therefore continued to trust in Him. Ultimately, that should be our reaction as well. Why do bad things happen to good people? The biblical answer is there are no good people. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that all of us are tainted by and infected with sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Romans 3:10-18 could not be clearer about the non-existence of good people: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Every human being on this planet deserves to be thrown into hell at this very moment. Every second we spend alive is only by the grace and mercy of God. Even the most terrible misery we could experience on this planet is merciful compared to what we deserve, eternal hell in the lake of fire. A better question would be Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? Romans 5:8 declares, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Despite the evil, wicked, sinful nature of the people of this world, God still loves us. He loved us enough to die to take the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23). If we receive Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16; Romans 10:9), we will be forgiven and promised an eternal home in heaven (Romans 8:1). What we deserve is hell. What we are given is eternal life in heaven if we come to Christ in faith. Yes, sometimes bad things happen to people who seem undeserving of them. But God allows things to happen for His reasons, whether or not we understand them. Above all, however, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting Gods goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). The devil is a schemer who takes advantage of our weakness and ignorance. The bible declares that every good thing comes from God above. Because of His nature of love it would be impossible for God to sent calamity from heaven to us. Yet many have labelled disasters that occur in this world as acts of God. This is the mind-set which the devil wants us to have and unfortunately we have taken the bait. To the contrary, it is Satan who, if he had the power, would want to annihilate mankind in one swipe. Unfortunately the Spirit of the Lord in mankind (i.e believers) has always been here on the earth and that has proved to be an unmatched obstacle to fiends machinations. The combined effort of Christians can stifle the operations of Satan. Acts 12:5-11 is one example where the prayer of saints conquered Lucifers plot to cause the untimely death of Peter at the hands of Herod. In a similar way we can apply this truth in our lives as individuals, families, church etc. Psalms 82:5-6 talks of us as walking in darkness and without understanding, yet the Lord declared that we are Gods, sons of the Most High. And Ecclesiastes 10:7 says I have seen beggars on horse back while princes go on foot like slaves. We have been mentored to feel hopeless and yet we wield the power. When Christ triumphed over the devil by coming back to life he conquered the evil-one on our behalf. It means that the grip which the devil had to cause calamity over our lives had been undone and that by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in us, we now have the ability to avoid the trouble spots of the enemy. Kings who walked with God in the Old Testament inquired of the Lord always before engaging in a battle of war. At times our rushed decisions into something can cause untold suffering and we then find comfort in blaming God in that he allowed it to happen and yet we never consulted him in the first place. Yes, the christian can face challenges, but because of the power from on high (Holy Spirit) which he has been endued with, he is also able to overcome same just like his master Jesus. Believers who because of the work of the Holy Spirit are formed by God with a new a good heart. Because our perception of good whether its about ourselves or how we think things should be is not naturally in accord with the true and ultimate absolute good of glorifying God. This is the case even after we are saved. At best we are a mixed bag. Our remaining sin is the same evil stuff that completely dominates the unbeliever. It is the most dangerous and deceptive when it is thought by us to be good. The example I wish use to illustrate this is Peter. Peter was loved by Jesus and was even one of the inner circle. Peter like us wanted to believe he was loved because he was worthy. The bad thing that Jesus is going to get to is the delusion Peter has about his own goodness and loyalty. When Jesus had told the apostles they would be scattered. Mark 14: 27 Then Jesus said to them, “ All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered. ’ 28 “ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to Him, “ Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” 30 Jesus said to him, “ Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” Peter wasnt pretending to be loyal and devoted he could not have been more sincere. But on the other hand he could not have been more wrong. Jesus according to Lukes account even gives to Peter a behind the scenes view of what is really going on and even this doesnt shake his confidence in his own goodness. Luke 22:31-34 31 And the Lord said, “ Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “ Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “ I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” The one thing that made the difference between Peter and Judas is But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me. Notice that Jesus did not pray that Peter not fail but that his faith not fail. It is only because Jesus is the Author and finisher of Peters faith that this is happening for Peters good. Jesus is getting at the bad stuff, Peters proud self reliance to establish Peters better self the new man in Christ who will have hope only in goodness and mercy of God because he knows that in himself that is in his flesh dwells no good thing. Good and bad things happen to us every day. If God has begun a good work in you it can only work together for your good. When you fail, does it humble you and turn your face toward Jesus in brokenness and shame? This is grace. When you are faced with something that seems to destroy the very foundation of your perception of yourself or God or how you thought things were supposed to be cast yourself upon the mercy of as Job did. If you abandon Jesus where can you go? The greatest atrocity that has occurred in history is the brutal crucifixion of the King of Glory. This was setup and orchestrated by God to display His Wisdom power and goodness. Acts 2:22-23 “ Men of Israel, hear these words:Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know — 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; If that most evil atrocity that has ever occurred is the source of the greatest good that infinite Wisdom could imagine then lets trust Him with with our very souls. The short and very hard answer is that there are no good people, for all have fallen short of the glory of Gods standard. Shall we indeed accept good from God, And shall we not accept adversity Job 2:10 That He chooses to do good to anyone is the miracle. Why, when I pray, do bad things occur in my life? I pray before any decision I make in life and pray for others. I always end my prayers with Thy will be done. Yet, I have lost my job. Repeatedly had my heart broken. I read scripture concerning my finances and guarding my heart. How can I possibly spread the Gospel, when deep in my heart I know that future Christians will go through so much pain and unanswered prayers. Yes, I know that Gods way are not my ways. At this point, why should I bother to pray? It feels like I am being punished even though the Bible reads my sins have been forgiven. I am really afraid to pray any longer. I feel so left out of the abundant life I am suppose to have. Dear Wondering Child of God... I too have felt as you do...it is the devils plan to dishearten you from pursuing God and His Will. Life is a learning and refining process for us to learn, grow, mature, and rely more on God and His Word. It is our process of becoming more like Christ and knowing Him intimately. The Christian walk is not always easy, but as you grow in faith, love, knowledge and wisdom of our God and Savior, your eyes will be opened to His truth, grace, mercy, and love in ways that will totally astound and amaze you. And you will experience a peace and joy that not only sustains you in every circumstance and earthly trial, but provides for you beyond your expectations. Not necessarily the way you may imagine, but you will be grateful because you will see God IS caring for you always. You have to want God above yourself, and be willing to turn your will to His in ALL things. You cant sit on the fence about your relationship with God! Right now the devil has you right where HE wants you..the crossroad of Faith in God or surrender to him (devil) and earthly desires. God will provide all your needs, but are you truly on board as part of, and subject to, HIs Plan for your life, or are you just secretly hoping He will just give you what you want and life here will be better for you? Jesus said, For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30 NKJV) This is TRUTH when you totally trust and rely on God. This may be your personal crossroad for eternity, it is your choice which way to go. Your Christian walk may be a difficult and sometimes painful journey but it is SOOOO worth it! Dont let the devil win the battle for your soul, keep fighting for your faith and relationship with God, and you will reap Eternal Rewards! Once you can begin to see and recognize Gods earthly blessings from your struggles, you will see the this earthly journey is well worth it too. God Wins...choose wisely. We need to remember that everything happens for a reason. We should continue praying, praising, and trusting God no matter what happens to us. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Psalm 34 says I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Finally, we should remember Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. It doesnt say all things are good, but that all things work TOGETHER for good.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 15:47:26 +0000
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