One thing that makes us think deeper is when unexpected questions are raised before us.  We may have heard them answered before by a lot of people in faith, but how different it is when we are asked of those same questions in the middle of just a very casual conversation.

Thanks be to God Who always causes us to triumph in Christ.  When we are caught unaware, “the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say at the moment when we need them.” (Luke 12:12 Voice)

Question #1:  Why do good things happen to bad people?

Hmmmmm …. Because first and foremost, our God is a GOOD God. “No one is good but One, that is, God.”  (Mark 10:18).  Only He can author goodness regardless, all because He is GOOD.  That is Who He is.  That is His very nature.

Our God is rich in mercy and abounding in love.  The Word says, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” (Romans 9:15).

The sovereignty of His goodness is to issue an invitation for us to change the way we think about Him, for many times turmoils, calamities and disasters are marked “acts of God”.  Think with me on this … how can something bad come from Someone Who is Good?  It is His goodness that leads us to repentance.

“Do you realize that all the wealth of His EXTRAVAGANT KINDNESS is meant melt your heart and lead you into repentance?” (Romans 2:4 TPT)

One powerful thought to ponder as well is that, what is our perception of being “bad”?  Sometimes we see things differently from other people’s perspective.  Hmmmm…  And in cases wherein if what we see is blatantly “bad”, who knows what the person does at his private closed-door times.  We are to remember that “the Lord over all is rich to ALL who CALL upon Him.  For WHOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be SAVED.” (Romans 10:12-13)

Our God is GOOD and He is GREAT.  His greatness is beyond comprehension.  He has more than a million and one reasons and ways to show Himself strong, mighty, merciful, gracious, wonderful and powerful, just as so we will come to know Who He truly is, our GOOD, GOOD Father Who is committed to our GOOD.

 

Question #2:  Why do bad things happen to good people?

First and foremost, we are to be fully aware that we live in a fallen world right after Adam and Eve fell at the garden of Eden.  Their disobedience opened up to the new rulership, the kingdom of darkness.  There is an enemy at work.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

 

Question #3:  If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, why bad things are still on going?

Yes, “the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8), but to be able to experience the salvation and victory that Jesus WON for us at the cross 2000 years ago, our faith in the Son of God is a necessity.  Nothing is automatic in the Kingdom of God.  “The just shall live BY FAITH.” (Romans 1:17)  “For God so loved the world (all mankind) that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

The gift of free will is such a powerful gift that even God honors.  In His being an ALMIGHTY God, He does not violate your will.  If you are one of the “WHOEVERs”, then you SURELY will have everlasting life.

God gave His only begotten Son for ALL MANKIND, but unless He is believed and received, we will never benefit the promises of Who He is and all the things that come with Him, in Him and through Him.   In the natural, when a person gives a gift to someone, that someone has to receive and open it for him to enjoy.  Apart from doing so, the gift will remain wrapped and non beneficial.  The Gift of God is Jesus Christ.

 

One of the powerful promises if we belong to the “WHOEVER” is this:

“I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”  (John 16:33 AMPC)

One cannot be found IN HIM if one does not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

And another powerful one …

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I CAME that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”           (John 10:10)

One cannot have and enjoy life TO THE FULL, TILL IT OVERFLOWS if one does not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God WHO CAME.

 

And more …

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  (John 1:12)

One cannot become children of God if one does not believe and receive Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.  Many call God, “God”.  But only those who are IN CHRIST can call Him, “Father”, and that speaks of relationship.

 

And more …

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

One cannot come before the Most Holy One when one is not washed by the Blood of the Lamb of God let alone call Him, “Father”.  He is too Holy and we are so filthy.  But the finished work of Jesus Christ made His Word possible for us to achieve when He said, “Be holy for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)  It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God.

 

And more …

The whole Psalm 23 is my favorite.  But I opt to put emphasis on the last verse when we make Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd.

“SURELY or ONLY goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall FOLLOW me ALL the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.”  (Psalm 23:6 AMPC)

 

In the midst of this chaotic world is PERFECT PEACE IN CHRIST.  I am not saying there will no longer be challenges in life.  I am just saying that PEACE is attainable and made possible.  It is not the ABSENCE of trials and tribulations.  It is only found in the PRESENCE of our Lord Jesus Christ in our intimate fellowship with Holy Spirit.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  (John 14:27)

 

These promises are just to name a very few that I have come to anchor my faith on.  How about you?  In your own personal walk with God, you may try to answer these questions, too.  The Holy Spirit will SURELY reveal them to you when you diligently seek Him.

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for making Yourself known to us personally that we may explore, experience and express what You have revealed to us.  Thank You, Jesus, for being our Lord and Savior Who overcome the world and deprived it of its power to harm us and have conquered it for us, that we may have and enjoy life to the full till it overflows to others.  Holy Spirit, teach us to intimately walk with You that we may be able to have our own personal encounters with You and cause us to make known to those around us what You have revealed to us. Amen!

Photo Credits: Binky Tolegida