James
2009-05-19 01:18:01 UTC
Re: Why do bad things happen to good people?
Hello,Yes, concerning the Bible's loving God (1 Jo 4:8), why does He permit
"bad things happen to good people"? After all, if you had the power,
would you not stop such things?
The Bible gives us the answer. God does have the power, but He is not
exercising that power at this time. Why not?
God permits those things to occur at this time because of some
universally important issues raised. One was the situation that
happened back in Eden.
God originally created man and put him in a beautiful garden-like
place that had all kinds of delicious foods. (Ge 2:15,16) God also
created man to live forever on the earth, IF he continually obeyed.
(Ge 2:17) Disobedience was the only condition that would bring death
and end his eternal existence on this earth. Thus in the simple
beginning, humans had all that they wanted to eat, and a beautiful
landscape to live in etc. That doesn't sound like a cruel God does
it.
When God created the earth and man, all His other living intelligent
beings, the angels, saw what He did. They observed the situation that
occurred in Eden. A rebellious angel, Satan (cowardly hiding behind a
serpent), talked to Eve and told her that God had lied and that doing
things her way could prove beneficial to her; that Eve would do better
if she decided for herself what was right and wrong. (Ge 3:3,4)
Eve took the bate, fell for it and disobeyed, and Adam later joined
her. Right then and there they rejected God and His perfect guidance,
and instead went with their own.
If God would have destroyed the rebels right then, all the other
intelligent beings that God created would never know if Satan was
right. Thus throughout all eternity there would be doubts if God's
ways are really the best ways. And intelligent creatures at times, no
doubt would forever challenge God's ways. So much for endless peace
and harmony.
Sincerely, James
If you wish to have a discussion with me, please use email since I do
not follow all conversations in ng threads
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I read an article yesterday, "When bad things happen to good people," by =
m sarowitz, 2/8/09. In the article the question was asked, what is the =
point of pain and suffering? When people discuss this topic why do we =
always think there is something the endurer must learn? Why does it not =
address those causing the pain? They see the result of their actions and =
they still don't stop. In what way do people act comparatively? Why =
can't they quit when they have failed at causing the hardship or pain, =
or even injury that they intended to inflict?
This is all to say that there isn't always a point to the pain or =
suffering, and there isn't always something good that can be gleaned =
while going through them. Some might say it brings you closer to God, =
but if you need pain to walk closer to God, you have something to think =
about. Revelations speaks about enduring until the end. It was only =
stated because some will go through injustices, and those are times when =
nothing can be gleaned from the situations that they are forced to go =
through. You can't tell me God wants you awake all night, all day, etc. =
You can't tell me that God wants you to act in a way that he =
specifically said, or his mouthpieces said, you should not act. But =
this is exactly what is suggested when these types of situations are =
considered as trying to teach someone something.
Of course, we can't ignore those times when something is actually being =
said. That is between the individual and God, and he always explains =
why. But not even God would bring back a problem when he punishes.
Something to think about.
m sarowitz, 2/8/09. In the article the question was asked, what is the =
point of pain and suffering? When people discuss this topic why do we =
always think there is something the endurer must learn? Why does it not =
address those causing the pain? They see the result of their actions and =
they still don't stop. In what way do people act comparatively? Why =
can't they quit when they have failed at causing the hardship or pain, =
or even injury that they intended to inflict?
This is all to say that there isn't always a point to the pain or =
suffering, and there isn't always something good that can be gleaned =
while going through them. Some might say it brings you closer to God, =
but if you need pain to walk closer to God, you have something to think =
about. Revelations speaks about enduring until the end. It was only =
stated because some will go through injustices, and those are times when =
nothing can be gleaned from the situations that they are forced to go =
through. You can't tell me God wants you awake all night, all day, etc. =
You can't tell me that God wants you to act in a way that he =
specifically said, or his mouthpieces said, you should not act. But =
this is exactly what is suggested when these types of situations are =
considered as trying to teach someone something.
Of course, we can't ignore those times when something is actually being =
said. That is between the individual and God, and he always explains =
why. But not even God would bring back a problem when he punishes.
Something to think about.