12-23-13 “How Could a Loving God...”
Isaiah 45:18-19
For the Lord is God,
and he created the heavens and earth
and put everything in place.
He made the world to be lived in,
not to be a place of empty chaos.
“I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.
I publicly proclaim bold promises.
I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.
I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found.
I, the Lord, speak only what is true
and declare only what is right.
Rob used this passage in his message yesterday at church. It’s one of my favorites! This passages answers the conversation ender that unbelievers like to try and frustrate Christians with: How could a loving God let bad things happen?
Answer: God doesn’t want anything bad to happen. He did not create the world to be a place of empty chaos. Sin and the people who commit them have made the world chaotic where bad things happen not God. But God very kindly listed sins - behaviors to purposefully avoid - so the world wouldn’t be a place where bad things happen.
Instead, unbelievers state that the Bible is outdated without any authority to back up such a claim - just a societal consensus to make excuses for sinful behavior.
I would not have told (people) to seek me if I could not be found... The Lord doesn’t ask us to seek while he hides. In fact, he showed up here! God in heaven becomes who we are so we could become who he is (Anasthasian Creed). We are celebrating that fact right now at Christmas time. That definitely isn’t hiding. He lived in plain view, showed us how to live, and took the punishment for our sins.
So the question isn’t “Why does God let bad things happen?” Rob said the real question is, “Why did God let the most horrific things happen to himself?!”
Answer: So we could be forgiven and live in heaven with him forever! And in the meantime obey him and NOT live in a chaotic empty place where bad things happen.
Dear God,
Thank you for not hiding. In fact, thank you for being in plain sight as you lived among people and left your Word for us that is not missing, outdated, or obscure! I love you and thank you and pray for Believers everywhere to be bold to answer the question, “How could a loving God let...” with “Why don’t we all obey him!” I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Isaiah 45:18-19
For the Lord is God,
and he created the heavens and earth
and put everything in place.
He made the world to be lived in,
not to be a place of empty chaos.
“I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.
I publicly proclaim bold promises.
I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.
I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found.
I, the Lord, speak only what is true
and declare only what is right.
Rob used this passage in his message yesterday at church. It’s one of my favorites! This passages answers the conversation ender that unbelievers like to try and frustrate Christians with: How could a loving God let bad things happen?
Answer: God doesn’t want anything bad to happen. He did not create the world to be a place of empty chaos. Sin and the people who commit them have made the world chaotic where bad things happen not God. But God very kindly listed sins - behaviors to purposefully avoid - so the world wouldn’t be a place where bad things happen.
Instead, unbelievers state that the Bible is outdated without any authority to back up such a claim - just a societal consensus to make excuses for sinful behavior.
I would not have told (people) to seek me if I could not be found... The Lord doesn’t ask us to seek while he hides. In fact, he showed up here! God in heaven becomes who we are so we could become who he is (Anasthasian Creed). We are celebrating that fact right now at Christmas time. That definitely isn’t hiding. He lived in plain view, showed us how to live, and took the punishment for our sins.
So the question isn’t “Why does God let bad things happen?” Rob said the real question is, “Why did God let the most horrific things happen to himself?!”
Answer: So we could be forgiven and live in heaven with him forever! And in the meantime obey him and NOT live in a chaotic empty place where bad things happen.
Dear God,
Thank you for not hiding. In fact, thank you for being in plain sight as you lived among people and left your Word for us that is not missing, outdated, or obscure! I love you and thank you and pray for Believers everywhere to be bold to answer the question, “How could a loving God let...” with “Why don’t we all obey him!” I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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