Human suffering

HUMAN SUFFERING Many ask – Since God is good and created all things, Why did He create (or allow) so much suffering in the world?

Wrong Views on Suffering
An Illusion
Mary Baker Eddy – All pain is in your mind
Control your mind and pain is gone
Because of Sin
Some suffering is the result of sin
But not always – Job, Blind man (John 9)

Because of sin
John 9 :1-3 1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

Because of sin
Luke 13 :4-5 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

God can't help it
Daniel 3:17-18 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

God can't help it
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Some Answers :
God limits Himself
Hebrews 6:18a that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Some Answers :
God limits Himself
Habakkuk 1:13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he?

Some Answers :
It is the nature of our universe
Fire – cook food, burn a house down
Cars – travel in comfort, die in accident
Steel – build bridges & buildings, a gun
Gravity – keeps us on the ground, fall to our death

Some Answers :
Rules are necessary
In sports – rules are necessary
In our world – rules, are also required
Some people break the rules
Steal, kill, lie, adultery
God has rules for living – breaking them will result in suffering

Some Answers :
We ASSUME that suffering is always evil
Are riches always good? Is poverty bad?
Suffering can teach us some lessons
Child – stove is hot, don't touch
Sickness is often a time to think

Some Answers :
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Hebrews 12:6-7

Some Answers :
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? Hebrews 12:8-9

Some Answers :
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
Psalms 119:71

Some Answers :
Suffering builds character
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Some Answers :
Other factors involved
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
Romans 14:7
Drunk driver kills innocent family
Gravity – man falls over a railing at ballgame

Final Answer :
Look toward heaven
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4

Human suffering

by Manly Luscombe on Aug 22, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Tags

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

Human suffering — Presentation Transcript