Podcast 11-30-18
John 9:3 Why Does God Allow Suffering for His Work?
GOD CREATES SITUATIONS FOR BELIEVERS TO SUFFER AS A WITNESS TO THE WORLD
It is clear from Jesus' statement that a man was born blind for the clear purposes of witnessing to the coming of the Messiah and against the leadership of this world. People often wonder how can God allow bad things to happen to good people. We will unpack this section of the Bible and develop a deeper appreciation for what God is doing with believers. Jesus said the following to his disciples.
John 9:2-3 NKJV 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.
This man spent at least half of his earthly life handicapped for this great moment in the work of the Messiah in his first coming. The man was predestined to be born blind. Why did God allow the man to pay such a high price many will ask? The blind man was healed for a very special purpose. That purpose is a great one. God allowed the blindness for this vital, timely message.
John 9:4-5 NKJV 4 "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Christ will use this miracle to resist the ultra controlling, self righteous Sabbath rules, and to demonstrate the blindness of the worldly leadership of Israel and by extension all the world's leaders. God is good so he must have a strong reason for allowing this or any suffering.
Psalms 73:1-26 NKJV 1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped...... 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
God is good and will ultimately take good care of his followers even if it seems that the wicked are prevailing in short run.
CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THIS MIRACLE WAS PART OF THE PROOF
First, the leaders of Israel did not want to believe this miracle that rocked the entire city. Then they were divided when confronted with the indisputable evidence of a miracle that was unheard of in all Israel's history.
John 9:16-18 NKJV 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. 17 They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight.
The leaders grilled the blind man trying hard to find a way to deny the miracle that branded Jesus a special messenger from God, at the very least, one they had rejected out of jealousy. The blind man was inspired by God to give them a powerful, relentless witnessing warning against the leaders.
John 9:30-33 NKJV 30 The man answered and said to them, "Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 "If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."
Jesus has come to bring light and truth to the world and to expose the darkness and untruths that dominate worldly governments and religions. The two have been the same for most governments, for most of the world's history. America was the first nation to grant religious freedom.
John 9:39 NKJV 39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind."
Some of the leadership flirted with committing the unpardonable sin which is openly resisting God and his works. But the blind man did pay a worldly price. His witness will be to his credit for all eternity in the coming government of God. The price He paid compared to eternal glory in God's kingdom is insignificant.
Romans 8:16-18 NKJV 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
The Apostle Paul was possibly the greatest witness for Christ in the Roman Empire. He also was told that he would pay a price for his service to God.
Acts 9:15-18 NKJV 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Paul eyes were opened and he could now see the truth. Paul's blindness as one of the leading Pharisees was ended, Now Paul would be a great witness for Jesus. His witness would have a special cutting edge because he was one of the leaders of Pharisees. His motives could not be questioned, he was very creditable witness.
Philippians 3:7-10 NKJV 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Paul realized that all he would suffer for witnessing for the Gospel would be worth it. He would find Christ's righteousness in the process and the 'POWER OF THE RESURRECTION'! Being part of the first resurrection is a blessed event. We true believers will reign with Christ on earth and be near the top of God's Family for all eternity. Wow!
Revelation 20:5-6 NKJV 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
HUMAN SUFFERING IS MORE THAN OFFSET BY OUR GLORIOUS REWARD
Mankind is learning lessons in humility and the futility of living in our own ways. People will eventually see that all forms of government not led by God and his holy laws are futile. When billions wake up in the world to come and see the paradise, they will know the truth. All that they have suffered will make that truth even more poignant. People will learn the true history of mankind that when God vanquished Adam from the Garden of Eden, He put us into a dangerous planet. The world is made even more dangerous based on mans' oppression of man. People from all eras will recount the problems of their societies that they endured and will clearly see the blessing of following the true God.
Members of the Sons of God who in this life suffered for the Gospel's sake will be stronger in their love and commitment to God. Opportunities to suffer for the sake of the Gospel are precious. They allow us to grow in love and loyalty to God. These are of more value than gold. They are eternal, spiritual gold.
Acts 5:40-42 NKJV 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 16:25 NKJV 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Paul had been arrested for the Gospel sake and imprisoned. What did he do? He sang and rejoiced because he had an opportunity to suffer for Christ. Peter and John were roughed up and threatened by the high governmental council for the words of Jesus. The also rejoiced for they realized it would elevate their reward in the kingdom and love of Christ.
1 Peter 1:7 NKJV 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
We live in a world of tough love. People learn some lessons best the hard way. A vast number of questions can be asked regarding why a good God allows suffering. Many of them can never be answered in this life. But we can be sure that in some manner all suffering will be worth it when seen in light of our Eternal reward and Son- ship. Eternity is a long time.
