I’m sure you have either heard this question or asked this question. Why is this question so common? Because we seek justification for suffering! It bothers us when we see moral and upright people that seem to suffer ‘bad things’ beyond what we think God should allow…but when a morally bankrupt and corrupt person suffers, our sinful flesh seems to be satisfied.
Let me make two points. 1. Is there such a thing as a good person? 2. Should we judge painful things to be ‘bad?’
Is there such a thing as a good person?
The question is, ‘are there moral people in this world?’ Do you know individuals that live a ‘good’ life and by most standards are ‘good’ people? The answer to that is YES. It is possible to live morally upright in a wicked world. In the OT, Job was described as a man that feared God, hated sin, and was upright in all his doings. I’ve know a few people in my life that I could describe that way!
Unfortunately, just because someone is upright by my standards doesn’t
There was only one good man that walked this earth: Jesus Christ….a man born for suffering.
For us, physical death and suffering may be a result of sin, sickness may be a result of sin, pain may be a result of sin, heartache may be a result of sin…
Psalm 107:17 says that “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.”
Suffering can be a result of…
our sin (cheating on a test)
someone else’s sin (young child being kidnapped, murdered)
original sin (cancer of a loved one)
Proverbs 18:6-7 “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”
Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Is suffering always bad?
…Or suffering may be a result of a loving God ordaining that pain and suffering for His good. In Job’s interactions with God toward the end of the book, Job proclaims… “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” Job humbly submits his suffering to the will of a good and righteous God! What an incredible example for us to
Can I leave you with a final thought:
God is good and God is in control. *If God is good and he is in control, then everything he allows in my life is for my good. *It may not feel good and it may not look good…but we can trust God that it is for our good!
DJHarry Isaiah 64:8 We are the clay!
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