Christian Living

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Many times I have heard, “Why does GOD allow so much pain and suffering in this world?” And, I have to admit; I could never give an adequate answer. That is because I did not have an adequate understanding. I have learned a long time ago, that if I trust GOD with what I do understand, he will reveal what I do not comprehend when the time is right. I have heard the question asked, “Why did GOD place the tree of Knowledge in the garden in the first place?” “Was it to tempt man, or to test him?” What does James 1:13 say on the subject of temptation?

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; NIV

Clearly, this passage tells us that God does not tempt man. So, if the tree was not for testing then why did he put it there?

In my yearning to understand, the Holy Spirit led me to the book of Job. It was here that many things became understandable to me. In Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-7 we are so greatly blessed. These verses give us a front row seat in the council of our great Jehovah and his angels. They usher us into the presence of God while He speaks with Satan. We listen as they discuss the subject of mankind. I know there are a few other places in the Bible that seat us in the heavenlies. But, none quite like this.

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything that he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” “The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” Job 1:6-12 NIV

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Job 2:1-7 NIV

When I read these verses, it helps me to begin to understand the relationship between God, Satan and man. The first thing my heart tells me is that I must remember 3 very important facts.

1. God is Just too all his creation.

2. Lucifer, who is Satan, was at one time a glorious creation of our Father.

3. When Lucifer was renamed because of rebellion, he was appointed a time to prove his challenge that he could turn mankind away from God.

Because God is truly Just and Loving, he has allowed Satan the opportunity to accomplish his task. If God had struck Satan dead at the instant of his rebellion, God would have seemed more like a ruthless dictator instead of a Loving Father and Creator in the heavenlies. It is very sad but true. Many of the bad circumstances we experience in this life are occurring because God is so truly Just.

When Satan enters the scene God already knows what is playing in Satan’s mind and that Satan wishes to have reign over Job. In verse 9-11 it seems that Satan is accusing God of keeping Job as a pet or something. Satan challenges that Job does not love God. And that Job is only obedient to his protector and master. And if God was not providing great success in Job’s life, Job would turn his back on God.

Instantly, my thoughts are ushered back in time to the beginning in the garden. I can hear the words all over again. I can hear Satan complaining to God, accusing him of keeping mankind captive through ignorance. Therefore, we were not free to choose to walk away from God. We were mere pets. My heart tells me that God planted the tree to give us freedom and choice. Unfortunately, we were not worthy of that freedom. Satan had no way of getting in unless we invited him in. And much to the great regret and sorrow of my mother Eve, Satan proved very crafty and deceptive in his dealings with mankind. If you will travel with me to Genesis 3:1-5, let’s examine how Satan sets the stage for man’s rebellion.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be open, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” NIV Gen. 3:1-5.

Here we see how Satan turns the whole situation around to Eve and deceives her. When he speaks to Eve, Satan makes it seem as though God is restricting her, keeping her captive to ignorance and holding her back in wisdom and knowledge. When in the reality of this situation, for mankind to be free of the sorrow, pain, and suffering that we now experience from evil in our world we would have had to remain ignorant and without choice.

Therefore, now the world and all creation have a period of time to live out. Satan’s appointed time. God did not, and does not cause any of the badness we experience in life. It is just the consequence of evil in our world. But, God is here to comfort and support us in our trying times if we reach out to him. In my mind it is much like when a parent takes a child to get them immunized. The parent knows that it will hurt and frighten the child (temporarily). But the parent also realizes that in the long term it will help the child to grow healthier and stronger. So in the parent’s infinite love for their child they allow the child to suffer the pain and anguish of the shots in order for them to reap the rewards of a healthy and protected body. And you may well say that is different because it is momentary. But, in Gods timetable our lives are but a vapor. Compared to eternity, even a hundred years is no time at all.

Evil is a spiritual disease. Jesus’ death on the cross was the attenuation of that disease. The crucifixion of Jesus did not destroy evil. We still have evil in our world and even as Christians we continue to struggle with it. But, if we accept the sacrifice of our Brother and Savior our spirits become inoculated. We will still have symptoms and may become ill at times spiritually. Much like the child above, he may run a fever and feel sick for a time after he receives the shot. But, the disease will not have the ability to overrun and destroy the child.

The events that transpired leading up to the cross were pure, unadulterated acts of evil. But, because Jesus was willing to suffer them, he broke the power evil had to destroy anyone who will accept him. A Christian does not become totally free from the consequences of sin when they are born again. But, their spirits are immunized against it. Evil no longer has the power to destroy those who are redeemed. Christians are empowered to become spiritually stronger to cast sinful thoughts and actions away from their souls. This does not happen in the instant a person becomes saved. It is a gradual perfecting. Every time we choose to act out of love and compassion instead of carnal emotion we become stronger and our souls become healthier and more Holy. God knew Satan would find his way into our world. But, God already had our cure devised. Much like the parent mentioned above, God knows we will suffer for a moment. However, when the appointed time is up, we will be stronger, healthier, happier children of the Most High God.

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart? Isn’t it delightful to stand in the heavenlies? More delightful, is the awesome Love God has for us. Even though mankind rebelled, Jehovah our ABBA FATHER had our redemption planned for all who desire it. He already knew that he was going to give us the option to come back to him. He sent our Glorious Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ to pay the price so that we may have true freedom. And because Jesus loved God and us so much, he came and suffered tremendous anguish and gross injustice to pour his blood and Love over us all. And the best part is that our redemption is completely free. Jesus paid the price. All we have to do is believe and receive the gift Jesus gave. AMEN.

* All Scripture cited in this work is extracted directly from the following: Life application study Bible: New International Version, Tyndale House Publishers 1997, BSN195.N3


Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope that it left you feeling a little happier in this world. If you would like to read a little more please visit my hub page at http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Cry-of-My-Soul

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