Why do bad things happen to good people
Why do bad things happen to good people?
a. Jesus tells us that good things will happen to good and bad people, and that bad things will happen to good and bad people.
Mt. 5:45 For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
b. Often it remains a mystery as to “why”.
Dt. 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
c. Rather than ask, “Why?” it is better to ask, “What can I learn from this? How can I glorify God in this?”
Luke 13 1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
d. Great good can come from bad things.
i. Our character developed.
Jas. 1 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
ii. Our compassion deepened.
2 Cor. 1 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
iii. God’s people help.
Eph. 1 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
iv. God’s power displayed.
Jn. 9 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
e. Sometimes it is the work of Satan.
Jn. 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
1 Pe. 5 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
f. We reap what we sow.
Gal. 6 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
g. God can use it for great good if we trust him.
Rom. 8 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
h. Ultimately God is totally sovereign.
Eph. 1 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (NASB)
Ps. 103 19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all. (NASB)
Examples of great hardship:
Job (God never told Job why but did display to him who He was)
Peter’s sifting
Luke 22 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Paul’s thorn in the flesh
2 Cor. 12 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.