Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future? Who allowed Israel to be robbed and hurt? It was the LORD, against whom we sinned, for the people would not walk in his path, nor would they obey his law. Therefore, he poured out his fury on them and destroyed them in battle. They were enveloped in flames, but they still refused to understand. They were consumed by fire, but they did not learn their lesson. [Isaiah 42.23-25]
Why would we ever read this passage of scripture and only choose to believe part of it?
But that is precisely what we have done when we say that bad things happen to good people!
Bad things happen because bad things are punishment! Punishment is for those who need to repent!
But we are just like the people described above - we are in the flames but still refuse to understand. Instead, we make up 'doctrines of suffering' that make our tribulations out to be some kind of blessing from God instead of His punishment! We say silly things like, "Bad things happen to good people..." and the likes.
It is time this nonsense stops! It is time we confess our sins and repent! It is time we see God for Who He Is and humble ourselves before Him!
Oh, how we want to declare, "Grace,, grace! Jesus has redeemed us!" But is not faith a matter of obedience as well? Is it not sin if we do not exercise faith? Faithlessness is as much a sin as anything else classified as sin! In other words, if we are not trusting Jesus in full faith, then His Grace has nothing to do with us! Grace is for the faithful - grace is for those who believe! Grace is not for those who willingly sin and think declaring, "grace!" will save them. Grace is for those who believe. Grace is for those who believe. Yes, Grace is for those who believe!
Our challenge is to read and understand the Bible in light of right and wrong, good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness. Our struggle is to be faithful in the midst of all faithlessness. Our duty is to comprehend God as the Bible presents Him. We have no right to make things up about God that simply are not true - HE HAS NEVER REWARDED OBEDIENCE WITH SUFFERING!
The burden lies with the Church to make our God known. But if we do not know Him, how can we do that? Those who believe "doctrines of suffering" are presenting a false picture of God. Period.
The mighty God of Israel, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - Who existed before all and will exist after all, is JUST and only gives punishment to the deserving. No matter how that ruffles our feathers and creates questions on our part does not change the fact. Why would we try to twist the Word of God to mean something inconsistent with the very character of God presented therein just because we don't think we sinned?
Oh Church, wake up!
Father, forgive us for believing lies about You that are contrary to everything the Bible teaches about You. Forgive us for assuming our own innocence while perverting the Truth about You in order to avoid our need to repent!
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