Evil and Suffering - Part 3

 The Christian Response to Evil and Suffering

Mark = "Jesus has all authority....."
Why then is there Evil and Suffering??  - Question has been asked for years.

Even though there is no totally satisfying answer,
there are many good, helpful partial answers.
God did not create evil, but he capacity for evil.

For example:  evil and suffering exist because freewill brings about sin which brings about a fallen world.
AND, anything contrary to God's will and design is detrimental   (which results in some kind of suffering!!)

Also, (example)  God uses all things to create some good!  - Rom. 8:28

So... suffering can serve to protect us, get our attention, to prune us, teach us, develop us ... example:  temper

Now .... one more message in the Series:  (this = more of an application)

ie:  How is a Christian (a believer) to React to pain and suffering?
ie:  how to respond (behave) in light of its presence and continuance?

(the first 2 messages were more about understanding)   (today = more about responding .. practical application!!)

#1.  Accept the (universal) fact of suffering - there's never going to be a utopia or nirvana here on this earth!
1 Pet. 4:12 - context = suffering for the faith!!   But .. a broader application = same thing!!
(Christian) life also = pleasure, joy, expectation!!  BUT... following Christ does not exempt from suffering!!

#2.  Develop a Biblical (not personal) View of evil and suffering. 
On one hand, the Bible does NOT have all the answers!  However, it does have some very good answers!! 
Example:  the "pie" from last week

Be prepared to SHARE that Biblical viewpoint!
1 Peter 3:15 - this takes a bit of responsibility

#3.  Feel free to lament evil and suffering
ie:  both personal and universal!
Example:  Psm. 88:1-3, 6-8, 13-14, 18 - Roughly 1/3 of the book of Psalms = laments

Laments = Scriptural and acceptable because
      (1) we cry out when we hurt!
      (2) we cry out when we are confused!
      (3)  our Father understands BOTH (cries and confusion)

Allow others to lament - Prov. 25;20, 1 Pet. 3:15 - "with gentleness and respect"

Contrast:  challenging God (when in pain and confusion) - (whole book of Job) with Rejecting God because of pain and confusion.

#4.  Suffer well (properly - as Christians)
Example:  1 Thess. 4:13 - not called to suffer, are called to suffer properly!!
Suffering well benefits you, those around you, AND testifies to the Faith!

#5. Suffer with those who suffer
Rom. 12:15, 11 Cor. 1:3-5
This not necessary to give answers!! - often just means be a supporting presence!!

#6.  Be willing to suffer for others  (redemptive suffering)
Gal. 6:2, 10 - be willing ot sacrifice own comfort to relieve sufferings of another!

#7.  Don't waste your sufferings (you ARE going to suffer)
Put them to work for you ...  let God use them for you ... to make you better!

Maybe while intense leads you to weep, cry, mourn, and question, BUT eventually??? stay there?  or move on?

#8.  Remain Hopeful (in the Christian sense of hope)
ie:  ending with confidence!!!  example:  Psm. 13:1-6 - lament Psalm  (most laments END as Vs. 6)
This = terrible but temporary... God will compensate and eradicate..... I'll be satisfied!!

#9.  Seek His Presence
On one hand, scream, cry, plead... however, when over .. cling to (trust) the Father!

#10.  Trust His goodness (His timing, wisdom, etc.)
This is not always easy!!  BUT - Rom. 11:33
I don't understand, but He does!!

In the end, will you trust Him?  commit to Him?
This is the Christian Faith!!!

Closing Scripture:

2 Cor. 4:16-18

Evil and Suffering - Part 2

 Why Does God allow Evil and Suffering to Continue?

In Mark, "Jesus has ALL authority over ALL thing at ALL times."
Question:  So why is there so much evil and suffering????

Last week = "why evil and suffering exist" - (origin)
Because of:  (1)  free will
                   (2)  Sin
                   (3)  Satan and demons - created with free will
Note:  God did NOT create evil and suffering.  He created beings with a capacity for evil (to be able to choose evil)   ie:  He created the possibility of evil.   Evil affected creation as well as people.

Scripture claims - (1)  God has ALL authority (over evil and suffering)
                and      (2)  He will, in the end, compensate us for pain and suffering
                and      (3)  He will (eventually) eradicate all pain and suffering.
BUT ... Why NOT NOW???

Why does He ALLOW evil and suffering to continue?

On one hand we don't have all the answers.
However, we do have some answers.

Example:  pie representing the question. 
The answer = pieces of the pie, but not the whole pie.

For partial answers = Rom. 5:11-4, James 1:2-4 - NOTE:  "suffering produces", achieves; can result in good things!
Examples:  "perseverance, character, hope, maturity... etc."
The lists are not exhaustive, these = examples

A good summary verse = Rom. 8:28 - "God allows BAD things to happen because He uses them to PRODUCE Good Things!! - God has the ability to do this!

So.... more slices of the pie:

#1.  God may use Pain for Protection
Example:  lepers holding hot pans - burn their flesh because have no feeling in hands.  Nail in shoe, fractured ankle.  If no pain, would suffer bad consequences.
Point = pain is sometimes our friend!!

#2.  God may use pain as a deterrent.--- ie to discourage wrong behavior. 
ie:  "if I do __________, it might cost me ____________."  - may ask for forgiveness, but the pain and damage remains.
(examples:  smoking, overeating, an affair, holding a grudge, using harsh words)

Clearly related:
#3.  God may use pain as a form of discipline.
(a) to get our attention
(b) to teach us  Deut. 8:2-5
(c)  to control our behavior  Heb. 12:5-7, 11-12, Rev. 3:19

#4.  God may use pain (and suffering) to improve your character 
Examples:  Peter & sifting - Luke 22:31-32
                 Paul and thorn  - 2 Cor. 12:7-10
  Rom. 8:28-29  - Jesus was made perfect through suffering.

NOTE:  pain and suffering in and of itself is NOT refining.  It is your response to pain and suffering that makes a difference.  Pain and suffering has the tendency of potential that God can use.

Compare:  Peter and his denial - led to shame and an improved Peter!
                 Judas Iscariot and his betrayal - led to despair and suicide!

Pain and suffering on its own has no value.  What God does with it is what has value.

#5.  God may use your pain and suffering to benefit others.  Is often called "Redemptive Suffering"
Obvious example = Christ and the cross - He suffered for our sins
 Human examples = Joseph ... sold into slavery... from slavery to prison... total of 13 years!
Result??? (1)  became an exceptional man!
                (2)  that resulted in a position of influence and power
                (3)  which led to the (physical) salvation of his family
                (4) which led a people group to become a nation ... through whom Christ would come!

So.... Gen. 50:10 - "you did this for evil, but God used it for good."

important note:  We don't need to SEE the good for it to BE there!  (We don't need to KNOW the reason for there to BE a reason!)

Summary:  Suffering always hurts!!
Nevertheless, God allows it ... (in His wisdom and purpose...) FOR GOOD!  Yours and others! 
So question is, Can you TRUST Him ... in spite of the pain?
                                                         .... in the midst of the pain?
Whether you do MAY affect the outcome  (Judas Iscariot)
But, it will NOT affect His faithfulness - 2 Tim. 2:13

Closing Scripture:  1 Pet. 5:10-11

Evil & Suffering - Part 1

 Mark recorded the miracles we have looked at to show "Jesus has ALL authority over ALL things at ALL times!!"

So???  IF  He has all authority ... WHY is there so much evil and suffering?

OR ... IF God is all powerful and all loving ... WHY is there evil and suffering?

The question is NOT new!!!  EXAMPLES:  The Greek Philosopher Epicurus (300 BC)
                                                                    Job - which = older than that and from the Hebrew viewpoint

       Written by Epicurus (a pagan) - around 300 BC - (big movement called Epicurianism)

His reasoning = "If God know about our suffering (ie:  all-knowing) and cares about our suffering (ie: all loving) and can do something about our suffering (all-powerful) .... then there shouldn't be any suffering."

So... Options = (1)  there is no God
or  (2)  He doesn't see  (not all knowing)
     (3)  He doesn't care (not all loving)
    (4)  He can't fix it  (not all powerful)
(or some combination of the above)

This is simple human logic.

The Biblical/Christian view adds ... Maybe He IS all seeing, all knowing, all caring, and all powerful...
BUT in His (infinite) reasoning and wisdom (which is FAR beyond ours) He sees it BEST to permit evil and suffering ... FOR a TIME  and FOR Good Reason(s) - example:  Job

(This defense of God's Justice (righteousness) is called a THEODICY)

One one hand, there is NO complete, satisfying answer.  (hence the ancient and Ongoing question!)

However, there are Partial answers.... which = helpful!
Compare to a pie:  we don't have the whole pie; but... we do have (some) slices; and ... the slices are helpful!

We will divide this study into 2 parts:

I.  Why do evil and suffering exist?  (at all?) - origin, cause, source

II.  Why does God allow evil and suffering to continue?  What benefits?  value?  good?

So.... Why do evil and suffering exist at all?  Example:  reasons - pie slices

Reason #1.  SIN - action, behavior outside God's will for us, contrary to His will for your life
How it works:
(1)  God created man without sin  "in His image")
(2)  Man chose (chooses) to act outside God's will
(3)  Sin has consequences
(4)  Those consequences included ..
      (A)  the Fall of Man (-kind) - Rom. 3:23
      (B)  the Fall of Creation itself - Gen. 3:17-19, Rom. 8:19-21 - personification

On one hand if the Naturalist = right ... then this = foolishness!!
However, IF there is more than physical life, physical world,  (ie a world beyond the physical) then.....?

Note:  NOT ALL suffering = result of immediate, personal sin  (example:  Job's friends' accusations)

However, ALL Suffering finds its origin in sin!! (nature)

Note:  God did not create evil/sin.  He created man with a capacity for evil, sin .... which leads to....

Reason #2)  FREE WILL "in His image" includes ability to think, to choose, to act accordingly.

Combine sinful nature + free will = ______________???

Illustration:  a car with free will = if going from Smithville to Honobia and it decides to take the shortest route?
We have the free will but not all the knowledge.

OBSERVATIONS:

(1)  Your suffering is sometimes the result of a fallen world - Ex.  sunburn, windstorm, etc

(2)  Your suffering is sometimes the result of your on sin(s).  consequence of our own behavior

(3)  Your suffering is sometimes the result of OTHER people's sin(s).  consequence of their behavior - ex.  bully, abuser, drunk driver  (though not always intentional!)

(4)  To abolish evil and suffering we must abolish free will!  

 

REASON #2. Satan and demons - Bible = there is a spiritual world beyond this physical world - inhabited by good AND evil beings....

These beings:  (1)  created sinless BUT with freewill!
                      (2)  some chose poorly!  (and fell)
                      (3)  these are NOW enemies of God and good
      therefore  (4)  they are enemies of YOU!!!  (created in His image)

This = especially true if you = Christian!!  Rev. 12:17

Some conclusions:

(1)  If you live in this world you will experience evil and suffering.  (fallen world, fallen people, spirits!!)

(2)  If you live to yourself you will suffer the consequences of your own sinful behavior - your choices, decisions, etc.

(3)  If you live for Christ, there will be great blessings... but there will still be consequences for your sins!  Still live in sinful world, have sinful nature.  Christians are not exempt from the consequences of sin.

(4)  If you life for Christ you might open yourself to ADDITIONAL SUFFERING!! - 2 Tim. 3:12

It comes to this:

(1)  You can't escape suffering in this life!  (world)

But, (2)  You can anticipate a future life FREE of evil and suffering!! 

AND (3)  You can anticipate compensation for your suffering - Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:16-18 - if is not compensation, then full satisfaction

Meanwhile - (1) God = fully aware of your suffering.
                    (2)  He fully understands your suffering  (example:  the incarnation - so we can understand that He understands)
                   (3)  He suffered FOR US
and somehow (4) He suffers with us!!  _wept"  "agony" - Compare to parents at the bedside of a dying child.

 

Next week = more pieces of the pie ... But NOT all the pie!!  in the end... we walk believing He is all powerful and all loving ... and we can trust His wisdom, goodness, righteousness IN SPITE OF OUR SUFFERING!

This is called ... FAITH!!!

Closing Scripture:  Heb. 11:1, 6
 
    

Death's Demise

In Matt. 3 & 4, are 4 miracles which demonstrate that Jesus has ALL authority over ALL things at ALL times!!!

Examples:  Storm - over nature
                 Legion - over evil
                 Woman - over sickness/disease

And NOW Jairus' daughter - authority over DEATH!!!
Mark 5:21-24  (woman's healing) Mark 5:34-43 (at this point Jesus had never raised anyone from the dead)

1st Note:  She was dead!!!   Jesus knew it, the people knew it....  SO ... Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recorded it!!  Luke 8:55

Question:  IF dead, why did Jesus say "asleep"?
Answer:  the word is used (1)  literally - Mark 4:38 - Jesus in the boat 'sleep'
                                        (2)  figuratively - John 11:11-14 - Lazarus

ALSO note:  2 uses of the word "dead"...
          (1)  biological death:  body no longer able to house the soul/spirit
therefore, separation of the body and soul (spirit)

          (2)  Spiritual death = separation of the soul from the Presence of God  (the source and sustainer of life)
                Rev. 20:6, 13-15 - 2nd death = Lake of Fire

This story = 1st. recorded instance of Jesus raising a dead person.   So.... "completely astonished, overwhelmed, amazed, awestruck"
Because when person is dead, they are gone!!!  (no healing now!)

So, this seems to be the ultimate miracle!!
BUT ... greater things will follow!!

#1.  He will raise Lazarus after 4 days!  John 11:39
(with no visible effects of having been dead 4 days!)

#2.  He will rise from His own death
Which = central to the whole gospel!  1 Cor. 15:3-4
And the final verification of His Person and Message - was raised by God the Father.

#3.  When He rose... it was to never die again.  Rom. 6:9
He rose ... eternal and glorified  (body more than restored;  = perfected)
He rose totally victorious over death.

#4. He will deliver His followers from death
1 Cor. 15:20-23
Which does not mean we won't die (biologically)
But = death of body will NOT = death of the Soul!!!  Biological death will not keep from Eternal Life!

AND,
#5.  He will raise our bodies as well
He will Reunite our body and soul  (I Thess. 4)
But ... in a glorified state!!  1 John 3:2

Then
#6. He will abolish death .... forever!!
1 Cor. 15:24-26, 54-55, Rev. 21:4

So... (Paul says...) - 1 Thess. 4:18 - we should comfort one another with these words!!!

FINAL OBSERVATIONS:

# 1)  Jesus has ALL authority over ALL things at ALL times!
        including death!!  Rev. 1:17-18

Therefore:
#2)  Christians need not fear death
ie:  IF you are a follower!!!  John 3:16-18

Contrast:  fear of dying (act) and fear of death (state)

This does not mean we should quickly, easily submit to death --- (is our enemy!!)
Rather = when the time comes ... needn't be afraid!

Because:
#3)  for a believer ... death is NOT the end!!  John 11:25-26  "never (really) die")

So.l.. the important question is not where do you stand on 'death....
But = where do you stand concerning Jesus!!