Pastor’s Notes
September 2013
There is a normal question that arises as we travel through the difficult seasons of life: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This is a totally normal question that we all ask of God at some point. It’s a question that is not easily answered outside of the scripture. The short is answer is, “because of sin.” But that answer doesn’t usually satisfy us. After all, if we are in Christ and our sin has been atoned for, why does the bad stuff still happen to us?
Simply this: we still live in a fallen creation. When we go back to Genesis chapter 3 and read of what happened when Adam and Eve sinned, we understand that things changed. Chaos, disorder, illogic… all those things entered into creation under the heading of “sin.” Paul writes in Romans 8:21-22 that all of creation is groaning.
But what about us? If we are in Christ, born again and set from the penalty of sin, why does bad stuff still happen to us? Truly, if you are in Christ, born again, you are a new creation. The old is gone. But we’re still living in that same fallen world. Our bodies don’t always do what they’re “supposed” to. I freely admit there’s not much comfort in that thought, even if it is the plain truth.
Here is another plain truth: God loves us in such a mighty way that He provided the savior in Jesus Christ. Saving us from what? Jesus saves us from the eternal consequence of that sin. In this world, we can take heart knowing that Jesus has overcome the grave, so that the sting of death does not have to be eternal. Again, in the heat and hurt of the moment, that sometimes can feel like small comfort. That’s why our church family is so vital and important to each other. We need others around us to comfort us, support us, and encourage us. That is one of the urgent missions of the church to itself. But I can tell you from first-hand experience, when the church takes care of her people, it demonstrates the love of Jesus Christ to a lost world around us who is desperate for hope. When the church rallies around those who are hurting, it demonstrates the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
The short and long of it is this: bad stuff is going to happen. That is a fact of life to which everyone can agree. Another fact of life: Jesus Christ came to Earth, endured more than we can possibly imagine for our sakes, died and God raised Him again. We can firmly cling to His words when He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Until the whole world hears of the love of Jesus,
Brother Jim
