by Iris of The 4 Gospels
Tonight, I'll pause for questions and comments after presenting a section of information.
Recently, I read a very interesting and helpful book-- "21 Reasons Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Dave Earley. I would like to share some thoughts from that book to offer some insight into the reasons God allows pain and suffering in our lives.
Why do bad things happen to good people? It's a question we all ask. Every day in the newspaper we read the tragic tales of suffering, pain, and evil on planet Earth. Horribly bad things happen to very good people. Men with large families and women who are single moms lose their jobs. People get cancer. There are devastating flood and fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. Babies die or are born with crippling diseases. People are robbed, mugged, raped, abused, and murdered. In some parts of the world, Christians are tortured for their faith.
Why do such bad things happen to good people? It is a question that easily can become a great source of bitterness in our lives or in the lives of people we love. For that reason, it's important that we understand it.
Pain, suffering, and evil are relentless realities that will not go away until we are in heaven. Until then, what are we to do and think when bad things happen to good people?
This book "21 Reasons Bad Things Happen to Good People" is an attempt to answer this question. It is a biblical study of potential benefits that come into our lives through suffering. It offers twenty-one possible reasons bad things happen to good people. Hopefully, the parts I share with you will nourish your faith so you can face the inevitable distress, the despair, the doubts, and the darkness that will confront your soul when you are hit with devastating hardship.
To begin this series of studies, I would like to frame them by reminding you of four important truths:
1. God is under no obligation to give us an explanation for suffering.
2. God has given us plenty of explanation if we will only look for it and accept it.
3. God can do more than one good thing through the bad things that happen to us.
4. God knows what it is to suffer, and He knows how to help us in our suffering.
We will look at each of these points.
1. God is under no obligation to give us an explanation for suffering.
Some say they don't want to believe in a god unless they can figure him out. But I have discovered that a god I can completely comprehend is no God at all. I am glad that the God I worship, the God I serve, the God I trust in the midst of suffering, pain, and evil is bigger than I can totally understand.
How big is our God? Our God is bigger than we can figure out and therefore big enough to see us through. He is a God who is beyond simple explanation. He is big enough for us to trust.
When Job questioned God during his trials, God soundly taught him this principle recorded in Job 38: 1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
We may not want to hear it, but it's true: God is under no obligation answer our questions. In this life, we may never see or fully understand why many things happen. That's what FAITH is about. It is trusting God in the midst of, trusting God not only when we can see, but also when we cannot see. 1 Corinthians 5:7--" For we live by faith, not by sight."
Are there are questions or comments so far?
2. God has given us plenty of explanation if we will only look for it and accept it.
The Bible gives many principles and examples to point us toward potentially productive reasons bad things happen to good people. The stories of God's people who have battled severe suffering show that God is able to produce much good from the bad we encounter.
In Genesis 37, 39-41, we read the story of Joseph and the betrayal he suffered by his own brothers as they faked his death and sold him into slavery. He became a slave to Potiphar, Pharaoh's captain of the guard. Again he was betrayed and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and put into prison. After suffering many unjust accusations, neglect, and years of imprisonment, God enabled Joseph to find favor with Pharaoh. Genesis 41: 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Possibly the most well-known of those who suffered unimaginable tragedy turned into triumph by God, was the man Job. In one horrific day, Job lost everything he possessed. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East but he lost it all. And if that wasn't bad enough, he was afflicted with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Yet, by the end of his story of faithfulness to the LORD, God restored everything, and more, to him. Job 42: 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
These are just two examples of many in the Bible of how God can turn tragedy into triumph for His children.
Are there any questions or comments about this point?
3. God can do more than one good thing through the bad things that happen to us.
Just as a stone dropped into still water causes many ripples, so do our episodes of suffering have many consequences. We may never know the exact reason why bad things are happening to us, but we can know that good does come out--often many areas of good--radiating for one bad event. Recall Romans 8:28-- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Note--IN ALL THINGS and THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
There is an important promise for Christians:
Romans 8:17-18--"And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later."
This promise is for those who ARE part of His family by having been born again by water and Spirit into it. If you aren't a Christian yet, please know that ALL spiritual blessings are only found IN CHRIST. Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ"
Let's consider the following 20 reasons "bad" things can happen to "good" people:
1. To win an unseen victory.
2. To expand our perspective of God.
3. To deepen our humility before God.
4. To produce greater intimacy with God.
5. To prepare us to receive far greater blessings.
6. To position us for higher promotion.
7. To prepare us for the miraculous.
8. To increase the testimony of God.
9. To bring us to Himself.
10. To stretch us for greater growth.
11. To remind us that we are not home yet.
12. To shape us more like Jesus.
13. To remind us that we are the Body of Christ.
14. To equip us for further ministry.
15. To remove our self-sufficiency.
16. To expand our evangelistic efforts.
17. To promote us to greater glory.
18. To promote us to further glory.
19. To give us further instruction.
20. To refine our faith.
We cannot always see or know how God is working for our good. He asks us only to trust Him.
Are there any questions or comments about this point?
4. God knows what it is to suffer, and He knows how to help us in our suffering.
Sometimes when we are hurting, we feel all alone and that, of all people, God has no idea what we are experiencing. This is not true. Two thousand years ago, God stepped out of paradise so that He could experience our pain. He not only saw our suffering, but He tasted it, He wore it, He lived it, and He died as a result of it.
The ultimate and only pure picture of a bad thing happening to a TRULY good person is the cross. Jesus Christ was the only sinless person who ever lived. He is the Son of God and God the Son. Yet He experienced the ultimate in bad. Pain, suffering, sorrow, betrayal, and evil resulting from sin filled the cup that Jesus drank in full measure. He accepted this because He loved us and died for our sin.
Are you struggling with emotional anguish? Many of the people Jesus had lovingly healed and fed called for His crucifixion. His friend betrayed Him, His best friend denied Him. He knows emotional pain.
Are you frustrated with injustice? The witnesses at the trial of Jesus lied about Him. The courts operated illegally to convict Him. Even the governor, after plainly stating, "I find no fault with this man," condemned Him to die.
Are you in physical pain? Remember that Jesus was beaten. He was whipped nearly to death with a whip designed to shred and rip the skin off His body. Then, He was crucified--the most painful type of execution the Romans could imagine. Jesus died gasping for air, pulling against spikes to His wrists and feet, writhing for hours in front of a vicious crowd.
Is your battle against spiritual torment? The eternally innocent One, Jesus, had the filth of our sins dumped on Him. His own Father had to turn His back on His sin-covered Son, causing Him to cry out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Imagine the excruciating agony of the heavenly Father, after an eternity in union with His Son, being forced to turn away at His Son's greatest point of need. Imagine having the power to remove all the pain from His Son but knowing that to do so would leave the world cursed by sin.
Does God know anything about pain? He knows. And He knows how to help us in our suffering. Take your pain and turn it into prayer. Talk with God. Tell Him that you hurt. Tell Him you need encouragement. He is there.
Let's pause for any comments or question.
Earlier I listed 20 reasons bad things happen to good people and how God is able to use them for our ultimate good. Since the title of the book we're exploring is "21 Reasons…", I'll now tell you the twenty-first reason. This reason will become a big frame that is helpful in understanding the issue of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. It's a reason no one wants to hear.
When we ask, "Why would a good God allow bad things to happen to good people?" we ask this question based on three assumptions.
1. The world is full of suffering and evil.
2. God created the world.
3. Therefore, God is the one to blame!
Let's look at these assumptions.
1. "The world is full of suffering and evil." No doubt about that. Pain and suffering season the news every day of our lives. We live in a hurting world.
2. "God created the world." The Bible is very clear about God being the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1). This intricate universe had to come from somewhere. This effect had to be caused. Christians know that God is the ultimate Uncaused Cause who caused this universe to come into existence.
3. "Therefore, God is the one to blame!" We assume that if God is so good, then He would prevent bad things from happening. But He doesn't stop it. So, as the assumption goes, either God is not all that good or He is not powerful enough to stop evil from happening.
The Bible give one clear response to blaming God for suffering and evil: NO, GOD IS NOT THE ONE TO BLAME. Consider these five biblical truths:
1. God created the world good. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:1, 31) When God created the world, there were no earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, sickness, murder, suicide or crime. The world God made was very good. It was Paradise.
2. God created people with the ability to choose. "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27) Being made in the image of God is what sets people apart from animals. Animals do not have a God-consciousness and cannot make moral choices. Humans can. God gave people the power to choose.
3. People chose evil. "16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) " 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." (Genesis 3:6) God gave Adam and Eve a choice. They chose to disobey. They chose evil.
4. Their choice brought evil into the world. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all have sinned—" (Romans 5:12). Exercise of free choice in the direction of evil is the basic reason for evil and suffering in the world. When we think of blaming God for the evil in this world, we need to stop and remember that humans introduced evil into the world. Not God.
5. Their choice has had lasting consequences. Since the Garden of Eden, the choice of Adam and Eve has had lasting implications. First, the world is no longer good. When we human beings (Adam and Eve) told God to shove off, He partially honored our request. Nature began to revolt. The earth was cursed. Genetic breakdown and disease began. Pain and death became part of the human experience. The good creation was marred. We live in an unjust world. We are born into a world made chaotic and unfair by humanity in revolt against its Creator. Second, people are no longer good. Romans 3:10 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." We need to remember that the blame for the majority of human evil and suffering lies at the feet of human responsibility. We are NOT GOOD. Only Christ was GOOD. We can only become good when we are IN CHRIST.
One time or another, possibly right now, you are confronting adversity and the inevitable questions brought about by suffering. Although your situation may seem unique and extreme, rest assured, others have also drunk deeply from the cup of sorrow. There is one man's massive misery makes even our most severe seasons of suffering seem almost tame and tiny. He is the poster boy of pain. His name is Job.
Before we continue this series of lessons, I would like for each of you to begin reading the book of Job. Before next week's study, please read carefully the first 2 chapters. It's important. Then we will continue with this series.
Tonight, I'll pause for questions and comments after presenting a section of information.
Recently, I read a very interesting and helpful book-- "21 Reasons Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Dave Earley. I would like to share some thoughts from that book to offer some insight into the reasons God allows pain and suffering in our lives.
Why do bad things happen to good people? It's a question we all ask. Every day in the newspaper we read the tragic tales of suffering, pain, and evil on planet Earth. Horribly bad things happen to very good people. Men with large families and women who are single moms lose their jobs. People get cancer. There are devastating flood and fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. Babies die or are born with crippling diseases. People are robbed, mugged, raped, abused, and murdered. In some parts of the world, Christians are tortured for their faith.
Why do such bad things happen to good people? It is a question that easily can become a great source of bitterness in our lives or in the lives of people we love. For that reason, it's important that we understand it.
Pain, suffering, and evil are relentless realities that will not go away until we are in heaven. Until then, what are we to do and think when bad things happen to good people?
This book "21 Reasons Bad Things Happen to Good People" is an attempt to answer this question. It is a biblical study of potential benefits that come into our lives through suffering. It offers twenty-one possible reasons bad things happen to good people. Hopefully, the parts I share with you will nourish your faith so you can face the inevitable distress, the despair, the doubts, and the darkness that will confront your soul when you are hit with devastating hardship.
To begin this series of studies, I would like to frame them by reminding you of four important truths:
1. God is under no obligation to give us an explanation for suffering.
2. God has given us plenty of explanation if we will only look for it and accept it.
3. God can do more than one good thing through the bad things that happen to us.
4. God knows what it is to suffer, and He knows how to help us in our suffering.
We will look at each of these points.
1. God is under no obligation to give us an explanation for suffering.
Some say they don't want to believe in a god unless they can figure him out. But I have discovered that a god I can completely comprehend is no God at all. I am glad that the God I worship, the God I serve, the God I trust in the midst of suffering, pain, and evil is bigger than I can totally understand.
How big is our God? Our God is bigger than we can figure out and therefore big enough to see us through. He is a God who is beyond simple explanation. He is big enough for us to trust.
When Job questioned God during his trials, God soundly taught him this principle recorded in Job 38: 1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
We may not want to hear it, but it's true: God is under no obligation answer our questions. In this life, we may never see or fully understand why many things happen. That's what FAITH is about. It is trusting God in the midst of, trusting God not only when we can see, but also when we cannot see. 1 Corinthians 5:7--" For we live by faith, not by sight."
Are there are questions or comments so far?
2. God has given us plenty of explanation if we will only look for it and accept it.
The Bible gives many principles and examples to point us toward potentially productive reasons bad things happen to good people. The stories of God's people who have battled severe suffering show that God is able to produce much good from the bad we encounter.
In Genesis 37, 39-41, we read the story of Joseph and the betrayal he suffered by his own brothers as they faked his death and sold him into slavery. He became a slave to Potiphar, Pharaoh's captain of the guard. Again he was betrayed and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and put into prison. After suffering many unjust accusations, neglect, and years of imprisonment, God enabled Joseph to find favor with Pharaoh. Genesis 41: 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Possibly the most well-known of those who suffered unimaginable tragedy turned into triumph by God, was the man Job. In one horrific day, Job lost everything he possessed. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East but he lost it all. And if that wasn't bad enough, he was afflicted with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Yet, by the end of his story of faithfulness to the LORD, God restored everything, and more, to him. Job 42: 12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
These are just two examples of many in the Bible of how God can turn tragedy into triumph for His children.
Are there any questions or comments about this point?
3. God can do more than one good thing through the bad things that happen to us.
Just as a stone dropped into still water causes many ripples, so do our episodes of suffering have many consequences. We may never know the exact reason why bad things are happening to us, but we can know that good does come out--often many areas of good--radiating for one bad event. Recall Romans 8:28-- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Note--IN ALL THINGS and THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
There is an important promise for Christians:
Romans 8:17-18--"And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later."
This promise is for those who ARE part of His family by having been born again by water and Spirit into it. If you aren't a Christian yet, please know that ALL spiritual blessings are only found IN CHRIST. Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ"
Let's consider the following 20 reasons "bad" things can happen to "good" people:
1. To win an unseen victory.
2. To expand our perspective of God.
3. To deepen our humility before God.
4. To produce greater intimacy with God.
5. To prepare us to receive far greater blessings.
6. To position us for higher promotion.
7. To prepare us for the miraculous.
8. To increase the testimony of God.
9. To bring us to Himself.
10. To stretch us for greater growth.
11. To remind us that we are not home yet.
12. To shape us more like Jesus.
13. To remind us that we are the Body of Christ.
14. To equip us for further ministry.
15. To remove our self-sufficiency.
16. To expand our evangelistic efforts.
17. To promote us to greater glory.
18. To promote us to further glory.
19. To give us further instruction.
20. To refine our faith.
We cannot always see or know how God is working for our good. He asks us only to trust Him.
Are there any questions or comments about this point?
4. God knows what it is to suffer, and He knows how to help us in our suffering.
Sometimes when we are hurting, we feel all alone and that, of all people, God has no idea what we are experiencing. This is not true. Two thousand years ago, God stepped out of paradise so that He could experience our pain. He not only saw our suffering, but He tasted it, He wore it, He lived it, and He died as a result of it.
The ultimate and only pure picture of a bad thing happening to a TRULY good person is the cross. Jesus Christ was the only sinless person who ever lived. He is the Son of God and God the Son. Yet He experienced the ultimate in bad. Pain, suffering, sorrow, betrayal, and evil resulting from sin filled the cup that Jesus drank in full measure. He accepted this because He loved us and died for our sin.
Are you struggling with emotional anguish? Many of the people Jesus had lovingly healed and fed called for His crucifixion. His friend betrayed Him, His best friend denied Him. He knows emotional pain.
Are you frustrated with injustice? The witnesses at the trial of Jesus lied about Him. The courts operated illegally to convict Him. Even the governor, after plainly stating, "I find no fault with this man," condemned Him to die.
Are you in physical pain? Remember that Jesus was beaten. He was whipped nearly to death with a whip designed to shred and rip the skin off His body. Then, He was crucified--the most painful type of execution the Romans could imagine. Jesus died gasping for air, pulling against spikes to His wrists and feet, writhing for hours in front of a vicious crowd.
Is your battle against spiritual torment? The eternally innocent One, Jesus, had the filth of our sins dumped on Him. His own Father had to turn His back on His sin-covered Son, causing Him to cry out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Imagine the excruciating agony of the heavenly Father, after an eternity in union with His Son, being forced to turn away at His Son's greatest point of need. Imagine having the power to remove all the pain from His Son but knowing that to do so would leave the world cursed by sin.
Does God know anything about pain? He knows. And He knows how to help us in our suffering. Take your pain and turn it into prayer. Talk with God. Tell Him that you hurt. Tell Him you need encouragement. He is there.
Let's pause for any comments or question.
Earlier I listed 20 reasons bad things happen to good people and how God is able to use them for our ultimate good. Since the title of the book we're exploring is "21 Reasons…", I'll now tell you the twenty-first reason. This reason will become a big frame that is helpful in understanding the issue of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. It's a reason no one wants to hear.
When we ask, "Why would a good God allow bad things to happen to good people?" we ask this question based on three assumptions.
1. The world is full of suffering and evil.
2. God created the world.
3. Therefore, God is the one to blame!
Let's look at these assumptions.
1. "The world is full of suffering and evil." No doubt about that. Pain and suffering season the news every day of our lives. We live in a hurting world.
2. "God created the world." The Bible is very clear about God being the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1). This intricate universe had to come from somewhere. This effect had to be caused. Christians know that God is the ultimate Uncaused Cause who caused this universe to come into existence.
3. "Therefore, God is the one to blame!" We assume that if God is so good, then He would prevent bad things from happening. But He doesn't stop it. So, as the assumption goes, either God is not all that good or He is not powerful enough to stop evil from happening.
The Bible give one clear response to blaming God for suffering and evil: NO, GOD IS NOT THE ONE TO BLAME. Consider these five biblical truths:
1. God created the world good. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:1, 31) When God created the world, there were no earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, sickness, murder, suicide or crime. The world God made was very good. It was Paradise.
2. God created people with the ability to choose. "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27) Being made in the image of God is what sets people apart from animals. Animals do not have a God-consciousness and cannot make moral choices. Humans can. God gave people the power to choose.
3. People chose evil. "16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) " 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." (Genesis 3:6) God gave Adam and Eve a choice. They chose to disobey. They chose evil.
4. Their choice brought evil into the world. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all have sinned—" (Romans 5:12). Exercise of free choice in the direction of evil is the basic reason for evil and suffering in the world. When we think of blaming God for the evil in this world, we need to stop and remember that humans introduced evil into the world. Not God.
5. Their choice has had lasting consequences. Since the Garden of Eden, the choice of Adam and Eve has had lasting implications. First, the world is no longer good. When we human beings (Adam and Eve) told God to shove off, He partially honored our request. Nature began to revolt. The earth was cursed. Genetic breakdown and disease began. Pain and death became part of the human experience. The good creation was marred. We live in an unjust world. We are born into a world made chaotic and unfair by humanity in revolt against its Creator. Second, people are no longer good. Romans 3:10 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." We need to remember that the blame for the majority of human evil and suffering lies at the feet of human responsibility. We are NOT GOOD. Only Christ was GOOD. We can only become good when we are IN CHRIST.
One time or another, possibly right now, you are confronting adversity and the inevitable questions brought about by suffering. Although your situation may seem unique and extreme, rest assured, others have also drunk deeply from the cup of sorrow. There is one man's massive misery makes even our most severe seasons of suffering seem almost tame and tiny. He is the poster boy of pain. His name is Job.
Before we continue this series of lessons, I would like for each of you to begin reading the book of Job. Before next week's study, please read carefully the first 2 chapters. It's important. Then we will continue with this series.
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