We Suffer Because We Sin

The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor  them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” [Psalm 91.14-16]

Yeah but...

No, there are no "yeah, but's." This promise from God is real and it is relevant.

If we are experiencing troubles in our lives, there is only one solution: repent and turn to God. 

If nothing else is ever said about me, it should be, "He loved and trusted God."

Many of us think we love and trust God, but our circumstances say otherwise. If we are not "rescued" then we need to re-evaluate our love and trust for God. If we are not "protected" then we need to re-evaluate our love and trust for God. If God is not with us in trouble then we need to re-evaluate our love and trust for God. If we are not rewarded with long life and salvation then we need to re-evaluate our love and trust for God. 

The problem comes when in difficult circumstances that say we are innocent. Never has God allowed difficult circumstances (curses) that their intended purpose was not to bring about repentance.

We have a tendency to look at the scriptures like the one noted above and somehow discount their meaning with some religious resignation to being God's pincushions! The infliction of pain and suffering is designed for one purpose: repentance! Why? Because God loves us and wants us to repent SO THAT WE MIGHT ENJOY HIS BLESSINGS!

When the Church finally understands that God is good and His faithful love endures forever (and that evil is not good, nor is good evil), then, we will once again see His power operating on our behalf! The problem lies with the widespread un-repentance of the Church. As long as we hold our proud stance that we need not repent when troubles come, then we have violated God universal call to repentance! We have called evil (curses) good (as if God is blessing us) and good (God) evil (as one who brings unfounded curses).

We suffer because we sin. Period.

The thing is, we do not know our own hearts. How could we EVER claim our own innocence? And yet, we have adopted strange and twisted doctrines that make punishment out to be some kind of "growth opportunity" from our loving Father with no consideration whatsoever for the Biblical fact that curses were designed for one purpose - to punish sin and bring about repentance.

We just need to really read the Bible. We don't need scholars' input. We need clarity of the Word of God without all the proud and arrogant saving face of men who (are deceived but) think they know their own hearts! Any scholar who promotes any message besides repentance has left the foundation of God's Holy Word.

Father, forgive me for arrogance and pride in my life. Forgive me for ever feeling like troubles were anything but Your invitation to repent. Forgive me for thinking I am without sin - or even that my sin is not so bad. Forgive me...