One of the questions that I have been asked the most goes something like this, "If God is so good why is there so much suffering in the world?"
This is a great question that allows us to explore the depths of of the human condition. We must first remember that the suffering in our world isn't a result of God but the result of human decision.
In the beginning God created everything "good" - see Genesis 1. There was perfect balance and harmony in the universe. There wasn't suffering, pain, disease, heartache, or any of the countless other things that cause suffering in our lives. Suffering began as a result of man's rebellious attitude toward God.
God created man to be in relationship with God and in order to have this relationship, God gave man the free will to chose God or to reject God. The choice was simple. God provided everything man needed to live and the Bible even tells us that God walked in the garden with man. So that man could be free to choose God put a tree in the garden called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and told man that they could eat from any tree but that one.
Then the day came when the serpent (in Hebrew, the shinning one) came to Eve and tempted her to eat from the forbidden tree. Eve ate and then gave the fruit to Adam to eat also. This is the moment that suffering entered the world. By choosing to be disobedient to God, man brought the curse of sin into the universe. Part of that sin is suffering, pain, death, and disharmony.
As a result, all of the human existence is marred with sin, it is part of our very nature. We are consumed with selfishness, violence, anger and pride. We have brought devastation to the planet, upon people and upon ourselves.
God, however, in His great love, mercy, and wisdom uses this suffering to strengthen, motivate and inspire us to new heights and greater good. He gives us the opportunity to bring others a piece of God's kingdom by reaching out to those who are hurting. He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins that by trusting in Him our sin debt would be paid in full.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
May we remember that God loves each and everyone of us and we have the opportunity through Christ Jesus to alleviate some of the suffering in the world.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
??? Questions ???
One of the greatest joys and challenges we can face as Christians is when we are having deep meaningful discussions with our people who want to learn more about what we believe or new believers. It is during this discussions that we are asked questions that challenge us to look deeper into our faith. We must look beyond what we believe and ask why we believe it.
In 1 Peter 3:15 the Bible says, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"
This simple verse challenges us to to move deeper into the meat of what we believe rather than being content with the milk. To do this we must study and learn. We must spend time with God and God's people.
Over the years, I have had many people ask me questions about my faith and many of those people have been drawn to Christ Jesus as a result of those questions. Now I will say that when you are willing to answer people's questions you will come across the people who just want to see you fail and will ask questions in order to try and trap you so that they can mock you. That is the reason that we need gentleness and reverence in our approach.
What questions have you heard being asked? How did you respond?
Over the next couple of weeks I want to look at some of the questions that I have had to answer and I want to help you answer the questions you have or that people are asking you.
If you would like to join me in this journey please leave your questions in the comments of this blog and we will study and grow together.
In 1 Peter 3:15 the Bible says, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"
This simple verse challenges us to to move deeper into the meat of what we believe rather than being content with the milk. To do this we must study and learn. We must spend time with God and God's people.
Over the years, I have had many people ask me questions about my faith and many of those people have been drawn to Christ Jesus as a result of those questions. Now I will say that when you are willing to answer people's questions you will come across the people who just want to see you fail and will ask questions in order to try and trap you so that they can mock you. That is the reason that we need gentleness and reverence in our approach.
What questions have you heard being asked? How did you respond?
Over the next couple of weeks I want to look at some of the questions that I have had to answer and I want to help you answer the questions you have or that people are asking you.
If you would like to join me in this journey please leave your questions in the comments of this blog and we will study and grow together.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
True Power
With the never ending fascination with superheros it is amazing how many thoughts people have about the power we would like to have. Power is an interesting concept to me. What it looks like and how someone gets it is as varied as the people who crave it.
Take for example a two year old who wants to exercise power of authority. They will throw themselves on the ground screaming in hope that they will get their way. One the other side of things we can look at a business executive that runs his business as a dictator and his word is law, and no one better dare to question what he says. I have seen people throw their education up as a symbol of power. "I am right because I have a Masters degree." I even once had a Dr. say I was faking my illness because I refused to take narcotics and he couldn't figure out what was causing my problem. And yes I have known pastors who feel that they are greater than other Christians because they are "PASTOR"
The fact is that many people crave power of one form or another. As I was studying the scriptures I was drawn to Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
True Power comes in living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God. This type of power is different than the typical power that we crave in our sinful nature. We want power for selfish reasons but true power comes through selfless obedience to God the Father. When we surrender ourselves to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit we will find ourselves with the power to change the world. We will touch lives in a way that has meaning not just for this life but for the life to come.
This kind of power isn't controlled by circumstances, emotion, physical limitations. We will be able to endure more than we think possible and effectively change the world around us one life at a time.
I love the fact that this power was first given in a prayer meeting(see Acts 2)yet in churches across the country prayer meetings are the least attended services.
God began the church in a prayer meeting. He gave the gift of the Holy Spirit in a prayer meeting. So why do Christians avoid prayer meetings?
James 5:13-18 says Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
May we embrace God's plan for power in our lives and submit to the control of the Holy Spirit of God. And may we join together in prayer as the source of God's out pouring of power.
Take for example a two year old who wants to exercise power of authority. They will throw themselves on the ground screaming in hope that they will get their way. One the other side of things we can look at a business executive that runs his business as a dictator and his word is law, and no one better dare to question what he says. I have seen people throw their education up as a symbol of power. "I am right because I have a Masters degree." I even once had a Dr. say I was faking my illness because I refused to take narcotics and he couldn't figure out what was causing my problem. And yes I have known pastors who feel that they are greater than other Christians because they are "PASTOR"
The fact is that many people crave power of one form or another. As I was studying the scriptures I was drawn to Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
True Power comes in living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God. This type of power is different than the typical power that we crave in our sinful nature. We want power for selfish reasons but true power comes through selfless obedience to God the Father. When we surrender ourselves to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit we will find ourselves with the power to change the world. We will touch lives in a way that has meaning not just for this life but for the life to come.
This kind of power isn't controlled by circumstances, emotion, physical limitations. We will be able to endure more than we think possible and effectively change the world around us one life at a time.
I love the fact that this power was first given in a prayer meeting(see Acts 2)yet in churches across the country prayer meetings are the least attended services.
God began the church in a prayer meeting. He gave the gift of the Holy Spirit in a prayer meeting. So why do Christians avoid prayer meetings?
James 5:13-18 says Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
May we embrace God's plan for power in our lives and submit to the control of the Holy Spirit of God. And may we join together in prayer as the source of God's out pouring of power.
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