A Story to Tell 3

 Why do bad things happen to good people? 

First of all, no one is good, no not one.

“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
“Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:11-18

Look what happened when they called Jesus good.

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, “Why callest thou me good?” [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17

Why would Jesus not want someone calling Him good? Because He was all man. He was in the flesh, just like we are. He was in the natural world, just like we are. He was susceptible to all the Sin in this world as we are. The flesh craves the things of this world and the lord of this world is the devil. In this state, Jesus did not see Himself as good. If Jesus Himself did not see Himself as good, who are we?

Leaving that aside for a bit, why do bad things happen to God’s people? The adopted. God’s children. People sometimes think, and sadly sometimes they are falsely taught, that all you have to do is have enough faith and be obedient to God and whatever church you belong to and you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise. You will coast through life with no problems. If not? That is your lack of faith. Just have more faith. This is a lie. Let’s go back to Paul. Remember, Paul wrote a lot of the New Testament we read today. I’m pretty sure he had more than an abundance of faith. Remember he was taught by Jesus Himself face to face. If this was true, He would be healthy, wealthy, and wise, Right? Well, he tells us a bit differently.

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-27

Consider two things here. First, does this sound like he was cruising through life without a care? Two, if he was making anything up. Jesus, the Word, all the things He was teaching, would he continue the lie in the face of all this? Of course not. He endured all this because he KNEW it was true. Look what he said here.

“I am hard-pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” Philippians 1:23-24

He literally just said he would rather die and go to heaven but he stayed here and endured all this because of us. The gentiles. 

How about another person who had great faith? Another that walked with Jesus and personally witnessed Jesus work miracles including rising from the dead. Peter. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Peter and Jesus were talking and Jesus said this.

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,”

Now think about this. You have seen everything that Jesus has done, including casting out demons and raising the dead. He just told you that the king of demons, The god of this world, Satan himself, has asked to have you. I can imagine that Peter was thinking something like “Well now, has he really? Good thing I’m with you. You told him no right?” However? Keep reading.

“but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Now wait. Jesus said yes. He told Satan he could have him? Peter said this

“Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:31-34

How does this make sense? Why would Jesus say yes? Look here at another faith-filled man named Job. Another that Satan wanted to have.

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” Job 1:1

Look here.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."

Hold on a second. Side note, perhaps a whole sermon, but notice Satan asked God to do it. Why? Simply put, Satan can not do anything to God's chosen people without the permission of God. What did God say?

“And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” Job 1:6-12

Again God said “Yes.” He said that Satan can have him, to the point of death. But not death itself because his life belongs to God. You know the story, Job lost everything, He ended up having boils all over his body, and he suffered much. Does that seem like he was healthy wealthy and wise? Of course not. God was not testing these people nor is He testing us with bad things. Nor does God tempt us with evil. 

"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one." James 1:13

So why did God allow these “bad things” to happen to these “good people?” 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:2-5

Notice it does not say “when God tests you.” It says “When you meet trials of various kinds.” If there is any doubt, read on a bit more.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” James 1:13-16

So then, why? Why does God allow bad things to happen to “good people”

“Faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”

Jesus said this. 

“but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers"

One of the whole reasons that Jesus came here was to be one of us. To suffer as one of us. To die as one of us. He knows now firsthand what it is we go through. When you end up going through something, you can now relate to someone else who is about to or is in the middle of going through the same. You now have a story to tell. Job had a story to tell. Peter has many stories to tell. Paul has many stories to tell. They are all used to straighten others. In the long run, you see that it was never actually about them at all. It was all for OUR, yes OUR, you a me, OUR benefit. Job suffered for us. Peter failed and suffered for us. Paul suffered for us. Of course, Jesus suffered and died for us.

This book {Holding up the Bible} is real. It is filled with real people with real stories to tell. That thing you are going through right now? It may not be for you. It may just be a story for you to tell. It may very well be to help others.

Where did you come from? What did you go through in the past? Who are you now that God has made you into a new creation? You say you are saved. Saved from what? Is there truly a better way than that of the world? To the lost, the simple things of God are not so simple. To the lost, your story may be exactly what they need to take the next step. You went through “it.” Therefore “it” is not the end. “It” whatever “it” is, it may just be the beginning. Always remember this also.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” Romans 8:13

In other words, any and everything in this present time is temporal. Even the most heinous, be it torture at the hands of another, cancer, or any other sickness or disease. Nothing can even compare to an eternity with God in paradise. Nothing.

If you want to tell your story to someone, you can always start at the beginning which is this. Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Would you like to be? It really is simple. Say this prayer. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!