Featured Post

Introductions

I have been an Elder at the Community Bible Church in Minneapolis Kansas. For 35+ years.  During that time I have been writing these thought...

Friday, June 17, 2016

Cause of Suffering?


Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #10 – “Cause of Suffering?”



            I heard an interview on television of a person who had experienced a terrible tragedy in her family.  She pointed out that she blamed God for the loss of her child and was completely turning away from Him.  The child was killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken driver.  A person might say, how can a loving God cause such a thing to happen?

            It is my personal belief that God, even though He has control over all things, does not cause bad things to come into our lives.  Adams failure in the Garden of Eden, by allowing himself to obey Satan rather than God, is the cause of suffering in the world. It was man who failed God, not God who failed man. (Gen. 3)  It is man’s disobedience that brought continual deterioration of all creation, including man.  Ever since that time, Satan has been busy trying to control the world and influence what happens to man.  Therefore, Satan is the cause of the sufferings and misery in the world.

            In the account of the suffering of Job, God said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?  For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:8)  God then allowed Satan to test Job that Job might prove himself devoted to God.  In the New Testament, there are many examples showing the most devoted Christians suffering.  Stephen, a servant of God was stoned to death for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul, the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, was beheaded.  And, the Apostle Peter was crucified for preaching Christ.  Why would God cause suffering and death to come upon His most faithful and trustworthy servants, surely not to punish them, for they were His faithful servants.  Satan is the enemy, not God.

            I believe God allows, not causes, suffering among believers for three main purposes.  One, we might prove ourselves faithful to God.  Two, the body of Christ might be strengthened.  The third reason would be to discipline His children, because He loves us. “’For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’  It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Heb. 12: 6, 7)

            Therefore, when we find ourselves in a state of suffering or depression, let us not concentrate on ourselves and our afflictions, but focus our attention on heavenly things rather than earthly things. (Col. 3: 1-4)  Let us try to understand what God is trying to teach us through our trials.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5)

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow.



Lowell Parrish

No comments:

Post a Comment