Reading the story of Job, we are given the perfect example of bad things happening to a good person. I feel so sorry for the guy. How can you not? He really had no idea what was going on. On top of all of the loss and pain surrounding him, his friends were basically lecturing him. Telling him he must have sinned somewhere for all of this to fall upon him. When he denies this, they don't back down. They keep telling him he is being punished and he needs to own up to his faults.
Thinking that something happening to another, is a result of some indiscretion they have committed is a dangerous thought process. Two reasons why. One you have eliminate the grace factor and two, it can lead us to judgement.
Here's the thing about bad things, they happen to all of us at one time or another. When we think it's God's punishment being doled out to someone, right there we delete the grace factor. Grace: the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. God isn't counting up all the ways you have sinned to pay you back later. If that were true we would never have a good day.
We need to use caution when we shoot judgment someone's direction based on their circumstances. In Mathew 7:2 NIV it says "For the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Another dangerous belief is that bad things won't happen to us because we are believers. Seriously?! Have we forgotten that we live in a sinful world. Why should we not suffer? What makes us any better than the rest? Because we accepted a gift that was given freely to all? So, when bad things happen, which they will, I pray we remember that we have hope and strength in knowing The One who created this world will help us through it. Remember no one will leave this world unscathed in one way or another.
Those who are in the middle of this battle, I am praying for you.
Thinking that something happening to another, is a result of some indiscretion they have committed is a dangerous thought process. Two reasons why. One you have eliminate the grace factor and two, it can lead us to judgement.
Here's the thing about bad things, they happen to all of us at one time or another. When we think it's God's punishment being doled out to someone, right there we delete the grace factor. Grace: the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. God isn't counting up all the ways you have sinned to pay you back later. If that were true we would never have a good day.
We need to use caution when we shoot judgment someone's direction based on their circumstances. In Mathew 7:2 NIV it says "For the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Another dangerous belief is that bad things won't happen to us because we are believers. Seriously?! Have we forgotten that we live in a sinful world. Why should we not suffer? What makes us any better than the rest? Because we accepted a gift that was given freely to all? So, when bad things happen, which they will, I pray we remember that we have hope and strength in knowing The One who created this world will help us through it. Remember no one will leave this world unscathed in one way or another.
Those who are in the middle of this battle, I am praying for you.
