There are many questions that we all have concerning life. Last week we looked at the question of "Why God allowed the wicked to live". This morning I want us to consider the question of suffering...Why does God allow suffering? As with all of our questions we must go to the inerrant Word of God for the answers. Many people would be willing to give us an opinion, but if we want answers we must go to God's Word!
Read: Luke 13:1-5
In these five verses the Lord speaks about two tragedies that took place during His lifetime. It seems that they were well-known to the people. First we hear of some Galilaeans who were murdered while offering sacrifices so that their own blood was mingled with that of their sacrifice. Pilate had ordered this horrible action. Jesus asked an important question in verse two: "suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans". In other words, Jesus asked if they thought that these men died in this manner because they were such terrible sinners? The answer to this question is found in verse three: "Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Jesus wasn't saying that they would have their blood mingled with their sacrifice, but if they did not repent, they would perish! This is one of the great messages in the Bible to sinners: repent or you will perish!
The next event is mentioned in verse four. Eighteen men were killed in an accident when a tower fell upon them. This is a common occurence. Men die in a construction accident. Jesus asked again, "Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?" Then the Lord repeats His warning about the need for repentance. The bottom line is this: suffering is a reality of life, but except you repent, there is going to be greater suffering, and you will all perish! But the question at hand is this: Why does God allow suffering? Sometimes the question is phrased like this: If God is a God of love, then why does He allow suffering? There is emotional and physical suffering. There is the suffering of famine, hunger, and disease. All suffering is the result of sin. Listen carefully! If it is not the result of personal sin, then it is the result of the fact of sin.
Whether it be a child born with a birth defect, or whether it is someone going through an emotional breakdown and suffering emotional or mental distress it is all a result of sin. Some may think that I am over-simplifying this matter...but this is the answer that the Bible gives. All that created was good. In the beginning, when God created it, He looked at it and He said that it was good. It was in perfect harmony, there were no hurricanes, no floods, no famines, no incureable diseases, it was good! But sin entered through Adam's disobedience, and since that time man has suffered. Not always as direct result of personal sin, but always a result of the fact of sin.
I. God allows suffering as punishment in part for sin. cf Genesis 3:16-19
A. Heartache, toil, and suffering is part of the punishment for their sin.
B. Adam had to earn his living by the sweat of his brow, and he would find that the ground would yield its fruit and increase after great toil and hardship.
C. Eve was to bring forth children in pain and suffering.
II. God allows suffering to keep the sin of man from running rampant.
A. Can you imagine what the world would be like if man never had to pay or suffer for his injustices to his fellow man?
B. From the time that Adam was expelled from the garden up to the flood, man experienced very few hardships.
C. The world in which he lived had never known rain or a thunderstorm.
D. Because of the canopy-like existence the world was lush with vegetation and man prospered, but the wicked- ness of his heart grew greater.
E. Note: Genesis 6:5-6
F. Suffering keeps the sinfulness of man somewhat in check.
III. God allows suffering to serve as a reminder of judgment to come.
A. Hebrews 9:27, "It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement."
B. No kind or amount of suffering experienced in this life can compare with what is to come for those who reject Christ.
C. There are many folks who never looked up to God until they were on their backs in a bed of suffering.
D. God uses suffering to remind us that judgment is coming. Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
IV. God allows suffering to break down our resistance to Him.
A. So many times people become so proud and arrogant that they do not need God.
B. But when troubles and heartaches come they begin to realize that they are not as big as they thought they were.
C. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was above all and needed no God, until God humbled him and sent him into the field to eat grass like a beast for seven years. cf Daniel 4:30-37
V. God allows suffering as a forerunner of mercy.
A. If in mercy and love God sends suffering and heartache...
B. And if these difficulties and suffering cause us to turn from oursleves and seek Him...
C. Then the suffering is not only an instrument of judgment, but becomes an instrument of mercy!
D. Only God could turn judgment into deliverance!
E. When you consider that God allows suffering and then uses it to deliver men from the worst fate that they could ever experience, eternity with- out God, that is mercy!
Conclusion: Why does a God of love allow so much suffering in the world? He uses it to stem the tide of sin, to warn people about judgment, to break down man's resistance to Himself, and to bring them to faith in Christ. Tragedy in one form or another is going to come to all of us at some point in our lives. It may be a result of natural disaster or it may be a result of man-made disaster.
We must understand that although God does allow these things to happen, He does not always cause them to happen. How can we prepare for such tragedies?
1) Place your life in God's hands.
2) Believe His promises. Note: John 10:27-30
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and surrender our lives unto Him we place our lives in His hands. (There is no safer place) Note: Romans 8:28 When we believe His promise here we come to realize that whatever may happen, it is for our good because He loves us and has a purpose for all things.