“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
With these words, Jesus continued His great “Sermon on the Mount” With them He builds upon the first Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) The one who is poor in spirit recognizes his dependence upon God and knows that if it were not for the mercy and grace of God he would be without hope. One who posses this attitude, will then find himself in a state of sorrow over the hopelessness of his sinful situation. Like Paul, he will sorrowfully cry out, ”O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24)
When we understand the terrible consequences of sin in our lives we should be moved to sorrow – this is a sign of an honest and good heart. Why? Because godly sorrow leads to repentance. In the First Corinthian Epistle, Paul sharply rebuked the brethren there for tolerating sin in their midst. This rebuke was well received and effected great change in the church at Corinth because in the Second Corinthian Epistle, we find that the brethren had repented out of sorrow for their sin. “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.” (2 Corinthians 7:9)
Paul then goes on to draw a distinction between their godly sorrow which led to true repentance and worldly sorrow. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Corinthiand 7:10) Godly sorrow leads to repentance and then repentance leads to salvation. Worldly sorrow, which is not sorrow over sin, but rather sorrow over getting caught. When worldly people get into trouble and are punished and the punishment escalates to a level they can no longer deal with, then they will change – they will stop the behavior. However, this is not godly sorrow – this is worldly sorrow. Thousands of inmates in our prison system are sorry for their crime – sorry they got caught. Most are not sorry they committed the crime and because their sorrow is strictly of a wordly nature, they often go right back into crime after they are released.
As 2 Corinthians 7:10 implies, this kind of worldly sorrow leads to “salvation” that is “repented of”. In other words, they fall from their false sense of salvation and become lost in sin once more, because they never truly repented. Repentence is a change of mind toward or about sin, which in turn leads to a change of action. The kind of repentence that merely says, “Oops, I got caught and now I’m sorry” is unable save anyone.
If one is truly poor in spirit and mourns over sin and his own inability to overcome sin, then he will be moved unto repentance and will inherit the kingdom of God and in it, be comforted.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
The Lord began His great sermon, known as the Sermon on the Mount with these words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) With these words Jesus began one of the greatest orations in the history of mankind. There have been many great speeches or sermons given by men, both inspired or non-inspired, that have shaped the course of human history. Great speeches such as the one given at the Gettysburg battlefield in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, or the wartime speeches of Winston Churchill, have inspired men to accomplish great and noble deeds – yet even these great speeches pale in comparison to this majestic and beautiful sermon preached by our Savior in Matthew 5:3 through Matthew 7:27.
In His sermon Jesus lays out the foundational principles of His glorious spiritual kingdom. He opens with the first great principle of importance in the life of a child of God – dependency upon God. For one to become a child of God they must begin with an honest and good heart (Luke 8:15). One with an honest and good heart recognizes that, of himself, he can do nothing, but must instead rely upon God. If one does not possess this innate knowledge of his own dependency on God, he will never fully submit to God, attempting instead to guide himself through life. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23) It is not possible to live the life God would have us to live without placing ourselves under His guidance – in humble submission to His Will.
The level of man’s dependency upon God is seen in the way the child of God is described as “poor in spirit.” The word “poor” carries the idea of being one who is destitute, or a beggar. Beggars were a common sight in the first century, as there was no welfare system in place. One who was unable to support himself or his family because of some type of disability had no other option but to beg for his daily bread. He was totally dependant upon the benevolence of others. Likewise, one who would be a child of God also recognizes that he is totally dependant upon the benevolence or grace of God for his spiritual sustenance.
The one who would be a child of God understands that he is a spiritual beggar. It is in the knowledge of our own spiritual poverty and dependence upon God that we find the strength to live the Christian life. This is what Paul meant when he said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) In another passage he said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) When we rely upon God’s strength rather than our own, we find that He gives us strength to overcome and endure the heartaches and woes of this earthly life.
Jesus says, “blessed”, or eternally happy, will be those who recognize this dependence upon God for both salvation and guidance. In what way will the “poor in spirit” be blessed? They will be blessed because “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those who submit themselves to God will be added to the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is that spiritual body composed of those who are saved. On earth, that kingdom is the church and when the end comes (i.e. the end of the world) Christ shall, deliver “up the kingdom to God.” (1 Corinthians 15:24) Those who are in the kingdom, Christians, shall then be blessed to be in the presence of God throughout eternity.
In His sermon Jesus lays out the foundational principles of His glorious spiritual kingdom. He opens with the first great principle of importance in the life of a child of God – dependency upon God. For one to become a child of God they must begin with an honest and good heart (Luke 8:15). One with an honest and good heart recognizes that, of himself, he can do nothing, but must instead rely upon God. If one does not possess this innate knowledge of his own dependency on God, he will never fully submit to God, attempting instead to guide himself through life. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23) It is not possible to live the life God would have us to live without placing ourselves under His guidance – in humble submission to His Will.
The level of man’s dependency upon God is seen in the way the child of God is described as “poor in spirit.” The word “poor” carries the idea of being one who is destitute, or a beggar. Beggars were a common sight in the first century, as there was no welfare system in place. One who was unable to support himself or his family because of some type of disability had no other option but to beg for his daily bread. He was totally dependant upon the benevolence of others. Likewise, one who would be a child of God also recognizes that he is totally dependant upon the benevolence or grace of God for his spiritual sustenance.
The one who would be a child of God understands that he is a spiritual beggar. It is in the knowledge of our own spiritual poverty and dependence upon God that we find the strength to live the Christian life. This is what Paul meant when he said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) In another passage he said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) When we rely upon God’s strength rather than our own, we find that He gives us strength to overcome and endure the heartaches and woes of this earthly life.
Jesus says, “blessed”, or eternally happy, will be those who recognize this dependence upon God for both salvation and guidance. In what way will the “poor in spirit” be blessed? They will be blessed because “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those who submit themselves to God will be added to the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is that spiritual body composed of those who are saved. On earth, that kingdom is the church and when the end comes (i.e. the end of the world) Christ shall, deliver “up the kingdom to God.” (1 Corinthians 15:24) Those who are in the kingdom, Christians, shall then be blessed to be in the presence of God throughout eternity.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Spiritual $ecurity
We have all heard of Social Security – the system whereby the government withholds money from our income and places it in a trust fund so that when we reach retirement age, currently age 62, we can receive a government check. Social Security was put in place by the Roosevelt administration during the depression in August, 1935 and has for the last 70 years provided income for millions of retired and elderly people. For many, Social Security is their sole source of income to meet their daily needs.
Recently, there have been news reports that Social Security is failing and that in its current form it will be out of funds by the year 2041. This news is not so bad to those who are at or nearing retirement age now. However, those who will not be contemplating retirement for another 30-40 years (the twenty and thirty-something’s) had better begin making other plans with regard to retirement! Even if Social Security does not completely fail as predicted – it still does not provide much relief to our elderly and retired friends and family. At best, Social Security only provides for the most basic of needs and in reality it is truly Social IN-Security!
Our national system of Social Security is far from perfect. This is true even just within its scope! Its scope does not even address the most important of all human needs – the need for SPIRITUAL Security. We must not look to the United States government or any other government to provide for our spiritual needs – because human does not have the answer. We must look to God and to God alone for the Spiritual Security that we need in this Spiritually insecure world.
The apostle Paul was one who realized that in God he had true Spiritual security. In his second letter to the young evangelist, Timothy, written during his final imprisonment – not long before he was put to death – Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
In this verse, Paul expresses his trust in God in spite of all the things that he suffered for the cause of Christ in the past (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28) and in spite of his current imprisonment and impending execution. Why was Paul so secure in the Spirit? He knew the power of the One in whom he believed and in whom he put his trust. He knew, as should we, that God is in control and that as long as he was faithful God would deliver on His promise of eternal life. Paul, by the Spirit, wrote, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) From this we learn that no outside force can separate us from God. Notice, however, that this passage does not say that we cannot separate our selves from God! There are many passages that teach that a Christian can fall from grace (e.g. 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Peter 2:20).
Why was Paul so secure in the Spirit? Because he had committed himself to God’s keeping. He had made his life a living sacrifice unto God. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) Paul knew that as long as he just kept doing the will of God and kept pressing forward in the Lord’s work he would never fall. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
What about you, are you Spiritually secure as was Paul? Or, are you placing your trust somewhere else, unsure as to whether that in which you have it will be eternally sufficient? If you are not Spiritually secure, then why don’t you give yourself fully to God? You can be sure that in God you will have Spiritual security for all of eternity, if you will but be faithful!
We may or may not be persuaded that the Social Security Administration is able to keep that which we have committed (i.e. our Social Security withholdings) against the day of our retirement. But we can and should be assured that God is ABLE to do so!
Recently, there have been news reports that Social Security is failing and that in its current form it will be out of funds by the year 2041. This news is not so bad to those who are at or nearing retirement age now. However, those who will not be contemplating retirement for another 30-40 years (the twenty and thirty-something’s) had better begin making other plans with regard to retirement! Even if Social Security does not completely fail as predicted – it still does not provide much relief to our elderly and retired friends and family. At best, Social Security only provides for the most basic of needs and in reality it is truly Social IN-Security!
Our national system of Social Security is far from perfect. This is true even just within its scope! Its scope does not even address the most important of all human needs – the need for SPIRITUAL Security. We must not look to the United States government or any other government to provide for our spiritual needs – because human does not have the answer. We must look to God and to God alone for the Spiritual Security that we need in this Spiritually insecure world.
The apostle Paul was one who realized that in God he had true Spiritual security. In his second letter to the young evangelist, Timothy, written during his final imprisonment – not long before he was put to death – Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
In this verse, Paul expresses his trust in God in spite of all the things that he suffered for the cause of Christ in the past (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28) and in spite of his current imprisonment and impending execution. Why was Paul so secure in the Spirit? He knew the power of the One in whom he believed and in whom he put his trust. He knew, as should we, that God is in control and that as long as he was faithful God would deliver on His promise of eternal life. Paul, by the Spirit, wrote, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) From this we learn that no outside force can separate us from God. Notice, however, that this passage does not say that we cannot separate our selves from God! There are many passages that teach that a Christian can fall from grace (e.g. 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Peter 2:20).
Why was Paul so secure in the Spirit? Because he had committed himself to God’s keeping. He had made his life a living sacrifice unto God. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) Paul knew that as long as he just kept doing the will of God and kept pressing forward in the Lord’s work he would never fall. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
What about you, are you Spiritually secure as was Paul? Or, are you placing your trust somewhere else, unsure as to whether that in which you have it will be eternally sufficient? If you are not Spiritually secure, then why don’t you give yourself fully to God? You can be sure that in God you will have Spiritual security for all of eternity, if you will but be faithful!
We may or may not be persuaded that the Social Security Administration is able to keep that which we have committed (i.e. our Social Security withholdings) against the day of our retirement. But we can and should be assured that God is ABLE to do so!
Are You Spiritually Minded? A Self Test
NOTE: The author of this Blog Entry is my beautiful Christian wife Kathy J. McNiel
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
– Romans 8:6
Many magazines have self tests that can help readers to learn something about themselves: “Are you in a healthy relationship?”, “Are you depressed?”, “How old is your brain?”, “What is your aura’s color?” etc. While these quizzes can be interesting and are occasionally useful, here is one that may hold the key to your eternity. Think about these questions honestly and you may find out something interesting about yourself…
1.On Saturday, are you usually:
a)Staying up all night to finish the movie marathon or big game on TV?
b)Having a blast down at the bingo parlor?
c)Preparing yourself to worship God the next morning by getting enough sleep and taking care of other plans for Sunday (lunch, clothes, activities)? (Exodus 19:10-16, John 4:24)
2.On Sunday morning, would you rather:
a)Commune with God by enjoying His creation?
b)Participate in a family activity or other recreation?
c)Assemble with the saints and worship your God in Heaven? (Revelation 4:11)
3.Do you show greater respect (in both attire and attitude) when you are:
a)Attending a funeral for a close friend or relative?
b)Called to meet with your boss or a client?
c)Remembering Christ’s suffering and death at His table? (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
4.What holds your attention longer and more closely:
a)A good movie, book or TV show?
b)Your favorite video game?
c)The preaching and study of God’s Word? (1 Corinthinans 1:21, Philippians 4:8)
5.When the preacher offers the invitation at the end of his sermon, do you start:
a)Packing up the snacks and toys your child has strewn about the pew?
b)Thinking about what you’re going to have for dinner?
c)Thinking about how you can apply that sermon to your own life? (James 1:22-25)
6.Do you feel it is important to attend worship services or Bible study:
a)When it doesn’t conflict with other plans?
b)Occasionally, but at least once a month?
c)Every time the doors are open (if you are physically able)? (Hebrews 10:25,
13:15)
7.When the elders of your congregation ask you to do something, do you:
a)Just ignore what they have said?
b)Get together with your friends and complain about it?
c)Do your best to comply, as long as it doesn’t conflict with God’s Laws? (Hebrews 13:17)
8.Do you spend a greater percentage of your time:
a)Working to have money for stuff?
b)Participating in recreational activities?
c)Studying God’s Word and carrying out His commandments? (2 Timothy 2:15)
9.When something really good happens in your life, is your first thought:
a)To give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back?
b)To call Mom for a well-deserved “atta-boy?”
c)To pray and offer God a well-deserved “Thank You” for your blessings?
(2Corinthinans 9:11, Revelation 7:12)
10.In raising your children, is it more important that they:
a)Get straight A’s in school?
b)Learn how to be good athletes/musicians/Boy Scouts?
c)Study their Bibles daily and become faithful Christians? (Ephesians 6:4,
1 Timothy 4:8, Ecclesiastes 12:1)
11.What have you more frequently shared with a friend, coworker or neighbor:
a)The name of a good mechanic?
b)Your famous chocolate trifle recipe?
c)An invitation to study the Bible? (Proverbs 11:30, Mark 16:15)
12.When the world (or your fellow Christians or God) sees you, do they see:
a)Someone who is not different from the world at all?
b)Someone who claims to be a Christian, but doesn’t hold it as a high priority?
c)A reason to ask about the “hope that is within you?” (Matthew 5:14, 1 Peter 3:15)
Our text, Romans 6:8, only gives us two options: spiritually minded, which is life, or carnally minded, which is death. Where do you fall? If you answered nothing but “C,” you can likely say that you are spiritually-minded. Good start. Now go study your Bible even more! If your answers tend more to the “A” and “B” range, could it be that you need to take a long look at what you have placed as priorities in your life?
God’s Word reminds us that we cannot be friends of both the world and God: Matthew 6:24, James 4:4. Remember also that our children will learn their priorities from us… what are we teaching the next generation when we allow other things in our lives to come before our service and worship to God? When we allow the world and earthly pursuits to take over our thinking and our priorities (and those of our children), be assured that we are pushing Christ out of our lives. As we stop fighting for Christ on a daily basis, Matthew 12:30 tells us that we start fighting against Him. On the judgment day, which of us wants to be found on the wrong side of a losing battle? Please listen to the words of Paul to the Christians in Corinth and Rome:
“… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
(2 Corinthians 6:2)
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)
If you are not comfortable with your answers to any of the above questions, or you think that God might not be comfortable with them, it is indeed “high time to awake.” Now is the time to change your thinking and put God first in your life, before it is everlastingly too late.
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
– Romans 8:6
Many magazines have self tests that can help readers to learn something about themselves: “Are you in a healthy relationship?”, “Are you depressed?”, “How old is your brain?”, “What is your aura’s color?” etc. While these quizzes can be interesting and are occasionally useful, here is one that may hold the key to your eternity. Think about these questions honestly and you may find out something interesting about yourself…
1.On Saturday, are you usually:
a)Staying up all night to finish the movie marathon or big game on TV?
b)Having a blast down at the bingo parlor?
c)Preparing yourself to worship God the next morning by getting enough sleep and taking care of other plans for Sunday (lunch, clothes, activities)? (Exodus 19:10-16, John 4:24)
2.On Sunday morning, would you rather:
a)Commune with God by enjoying His creation?
b)Participate in a family activity or other recreation?
c)Assemble with the saints and worship your God in Heaven? (Revelation 4:11)
3.Do you show greater respect (in both attire and attitude) when you are:
a)Attending a funeral for a close friend or relative?
b)Called to meet with your boss or a client?
c)Remembering Christ’s suffering and death at His table? (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
4.What holds your attention longer and more closely:
a)A good movie, book or TV show?
b)Your favorite video game?
c)The preaching and study of God’s Word? (1 Corinthinans 1:21, Philippians 4:8)
5.When the preacher offers the invitation at the end of his sermon, do you start:
a)Packing up the snacks and toys your child has strewn about the pew?
b)Thinking about what you’re going to have for dinner?
c)Thinking about how you can apply that sermon to your own life? (James 1:22-25)
6.Do you feel it is important to attend worship services or Bible study:
a)When it doesn’t conflict with other plans?
b)Occasionally, but at least once a month?
c)Every time the doors are open (if you are physically able)? (Hebrews 10:25,
13:15)
7.When the elders of your congregation ask you to do something, do you:
a)Just ignore what they have said?
b)Get together with your friends and complain about it?
c)Do your best to comply, as long as it doesn’t conflict with God’s Laws? (Hebrews 13:17)
8.Do you spend a greater percentage of your time:
a)Working to have money for stuff?
b)Participating in recreational activities?
c)Studying God’s Word and carrying out His commandments? (2 Timothy 2:15)
9.When something really good happens in your life, is your first thought:
a)To give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back?
b)To call Mom for a well-deserved “atta-boy?”
c)To pray and offer God a well-deserved “Thank You” for your blessings?
(2Corinthinans 9:11, Revelation 7:12)
10.In raising your children, is it more important that they:
a)Get straight A’s in school?
b)Learn how to be good athletes/musicians/Boy Scouts?
c)Study their Bibles daily and become faithful Christians? (Ephesians 6:4,
1 Timothy 4:8, Ecclesiastes 12:1)
11.What have you more frequently shared with a friend, coworker or neighbor:
a)The name of a good mechanic?
b)Your famous chocolate trifle recipe?
c)An invitation to study the Bible? (Proverbs 11:30, Mark 16:15)
12.When the world (or your fellow Christians or God) sees you, do they see:
a)Someone who is not different from the world at all?
b)Someone who claims to be a Christian, but doesn’t hold it as a high priority?
c)A reason to ask about the “hope that is within you?” (Matthew 5:14, 1 Peter 3:15)
Our text, Romans 6:8, only gives us two options: spiritually minded, which is life, or carnally minded, which is death. Where do you fall? If you answered nothing but “C,” you can likely say that you are spiritually-minded. Good start. Now go study your Bible even more! If your answers tend more to the “A” and “B” range, could it be that you need to take a long look at what you have placed as priorities in your life?
God’s Word reminds us that we cannot be friends of both the world and God: Matthew 6:24, James 4:4. Remember also that our children will learn their priorities from us… what are we teaching the next generation when we allow other things in our lives to come before our service and worship to God? When we allow the world and earthly pursuits to take over our thinking and our priorities (and those of our children), be assured that we are pushing Christ out of our lives. As we stop fighting for Christ on a daily basis, Matthew 12:30 tells us that we start fighting against Him. On the judgment day, which of us wants to be found on the wrong side of a losing battle? Please listen to the words of Paul to the Christians in Corinth and Rome:
“… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
(2 Corinthians 6:2)
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)
If you are not comfortable with your answers to any of the above questions, or you think that God might not be comfortable with them, it is indeed “high time to awake.” Now is the time to change your thinking and put God first in your life, before it is everlastingly too late.
Why Does God Allow The Innocent To Suffer?
When an innocent child suffers and then dies, such as with the case of David and Bathsheba’s first child (2 Samuel 12:13-24), the parents are often given sympathetic answers from people who mean well. But most of the clichés that are offered up give little real comfort. The idea that he has gone on to a better place still does not answer as to why the child had to suffer and die in the first place. It does not explain why the one’s left behind now have to suffer grief and loss. The idea that many express that it was just his time or that it was God’s will is just plain false.
The inadequacy of this answer was well illustrated on the day that John F. Kennedy Jr. died. That evening, Billy Graham was being interviewed by Larry King, and the subject of Mr. Kennedy’s premature death arose. When asked what he thought of it, Billy Graham answered with the tired old cliché, that it was just his time; that it was just God’s will. Larry King then answered and said, “Do you mean to tell me that God wanted him to die?” Billy Graham said not a word. Mr. King saw through the hypocrisy of Billy Graham’s statement immediately. When “Christians” like Billy Graham contradict themselves about the nature of God, it fuels the fires of the controversy over the presence of evil in the world. To say that God wills for any person to suffer and die is to ascribe evil intent on the part of God.
This has been heard for centuries. Gideon in Judges 6 first made it. If God is so good, why does He let bad things happen to us? Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able to do so? If so, then He is impotent. Is it that He is able, but not willing? If so, then He is not all good. Or, is He willing but unable? Then why follow Him? James H. Dee, a retired classicist, wrote an article entitled Good God Is a Virtual Contradiction in Terms. This title sums up one of the main arguments made by those who try to deny God’s existence. They say that if God is all knowing, then He is aware of evil in the world. And if He were all-powerful, then He would put a stop to evil in the world. And if He really loved man, the apex of His creation, then He would eliminate all pain and suffering from the world.
Since God is an omniscient, omnipotent, merciful God who loves man and seeks his best interest, then why does He allow the innocent to suffer? First, note that God created man with free-will moral agency out of His great love for us. With free moral agency came the freedom to choose whether to obey or to disobey God’s word. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and a result God sent them from the garden into the world and allowed them to be exposed to pain and suffering. Ultimately, all pain and suffering resulted from man’s sin. All of humankind has to suffer because of their sin.
Once man was sent from the garden into in the world, he became subject to three avenues of exposure to pain and suffering. First, we often suffer as Job did, not because of our own sin, but because of the sins of others. Also, we can suffer because of our own sins. Sometimes in committing fornication, a person contacts a venereal disease. Often people suffer debilitating injuries when the consume alcohol and run into a telephone pole. And finally we can suffer an accident or as a result from natural forces. For instance, a faithful Christian can loose all that he owns, even lose his loved ones simply because they were in the path of a hurricane.
Having noted the causes of pain and suffering, the question remains. Why does God allow these three avenues to exist? The first two avenues are in the world because sin is in the world. Part of the reason sin still exists is because of God’s mercy. That may sound like a contradiction, but the fact remains that if God did not want all men to have the possibility of salvation He would destroy all who commit sin, thus eliminating sin from the world. If God did not delay punishment on sinners and give them the opportunity to repent then there would be no one left alive past the age of accountability. The third avenue exists because God created the forces of nature and set them into motion. As long as the world lasts these natural forces will affect all of mankind.
The inadequacy of this answer was well illustrated on the day that John F. Kennedy Jr. died. That evening, Billy Graham was being interviewed by Larry King, and the subject of Mr. Kennedy’s premature death arose. When asked what he thought of it, Billy Graham answered with the tired old cliché, that it was just his time; that it was just God’s will. Larry King then answered and said, “Do you mean to tell me that God wanted him to die?” Billy Graham said not a word. Mr. King saw through the hypocrisy of Billy Graham’s statement immediately. When “Christians” like Billy Graham contradict themselves about the nature of God, it fuels the fires of the controversy over the presence of evil in the world. To say that God wills for any person to suffer and die is to ascribe evil intent on the part of God.
This has been heard for centuries. Gideon in Judges 6 first made it. If God is so good, why does He let bad things happen to us? Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able to do so? If so, then He is impotent. Is it that He is able, but not willing? If so, then He is not all good. Or, is He willing but unable? Then why follow Him? James H. Dee, a retired classicist, wrote an article entitled Good God Is a Virtual Contradiction in Terms. This title sums up one of the main arguments made by those who try to deny God’s existence. They say that if God is all knowing, then He is aware of evil in the world. And if He were all-powerful, then He would put a stop to evil in the world. And if He really loved man, the apex of His creation, then He would eliminate all pain and suffering from the world.
Since God is an omniscient, omnipotent, merciful God who loves man and seeks his best interest, then why does He allow the innocent to suffer? First, note that God created man with free-will moral agency out of His great love for us. With free moral agency came the freedom to choose whether to obey or to disobey God’s word. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and a result God sent them from the garden into the world and allowed them to be exposed to pain and suffering. Ultimately, all pain and suffering resulted from man’s sin. All of humankind has to suffer because of their sin.
Once man was sent from the garden into in the world, he became subject to three avenues of exposure to pain and suffering. First, we often suffer as Job did, not because of our own sin, but because of the sins of others. Also, we can suffer because of our own sins. Sometimes in committing fornication, a person contacts a venereal disease. Often people suffer debilitating injuries when the consume alcohol and run into a telephone pole. And finally we can suffer an accident or as a result from natural forces. For instance, a faithful Christian can loose all that he owns, even lose his loved ones simply because they were in the path of a hurricane.
Having noted the causes of pain and suffering, the question remains. Why does God allow these three avenues to exist? The first two avenues are in the world because sin is in the world. Part of the reason sin still exists is because of God’s mercy. That may sound like a contradiction, but the fact remains that if God did not want all men to have the possibility of salvation He would destroy all who commit sin, thus eliminating sin from the world. If God did not delay punishment on sinners and give them the opportunity to repent then there would be no one left alive past the age of accountability. The third avenue exists because God created the forces of nature and set them into motion. As long as the world lasts these natural forces will affect all of mankind.
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