Friday, February 14, 2014

DCYBATD week 4: WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

This past Wednesday night, Randell Boggs (pictured here back in the day rocking out with his cohort Tyler...sort of) shared with our youth group on the common question: WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN? I so enjoyed his teaching - from the great questions to the thought's from Carlos Whittaker's blog to using 80s rock ballads as a foundation for truth.

But I most enjoyed the simple, logical train of thought he used from the Scripture to help understand where God is at in all of these tough things of life. Here's a recap:

God didn't create the world with suffering. Genesis 1:31-and God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

Sin came into the world when Adam & Eve chose to disobey God's protective command.

Through sin and selfish choices, evil is born. 2 Chronicles 12:14 says "and he did evil for he did not set his heart to seek The Lord."

The results of this are Moral evil - evil that results from human selfish desires - and Natural Evil - fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, tornadoes. Romans 8:22-For we know that the whole creation has been groaning in the pains of childbirth until now.

So if God didn't create sin and evil and suffering, where is He when those things are going on in our lives? Romans 8:28 tells us "and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

See, because of the fallen nature of sin, we will face tough things in this life. But the good news is that we have a loving God who is with us through those things and will eventually overcome them for us if we trust Him. Jesus puts it best in John 16:33- I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or further questions.

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