1-- Why I Believe In An Allowing God-- Etrs

Why Do I Believe in a Unseen Being Who Allows Unjust Suffering and Earlier-Than-Expected Death of Good People I sent some in my e-mail Address book an essay about why I believe in a God that allows suffering of good people and pets. Then recently the following short essay came to my mind: Bad things happen to good people and animals because of 1. “natural disasters”. 2. flues and other diseases 3. being in a war zone (Iraq is still a war zone and now many countries are actually now in war zones because of the Muslim terrorists so that even favorite vacation places are dangerous). 4. crimes by others like murder, robberies, rape, incest, verbal and physical abuse in the home, extreme neglect of children or/and animals, fraud, malicious activity via the Internet, etc. 5. mistakes like eating the wrong foods or/and drugs, pollution, driving a car wrongly (which could have innocent passengers who become victims of the driver’s mistake), doing wrong movements in sports, etc. 6. Satan or the fallen angels caused bad things. 7. God caused bad things for discipline (see Hebrews 12), judgment, or/and supernatural warning. So, God cannot be blamed for the first 6 items and should be thanked for what is mentioned in number seven. See 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 and Romans 8:28 (the whole chapter is wonderful for those who are adopted children of God). He allows things to happen that are indicated in the first six types above because He is not limited by the time we are in and He knows about how much each of His children can take and who needs to see good testimonies of suffering true Christians. The latter will still have divine peace and occasional joy and humor too, instead of complaining being angry etc. The true Christian testimonies during suffering (like Joni Erickson/Tada) or before dying (like Rachel Scott who was one of the Columbine High School tragedy victims) have persuaded many to commit their lives to God too. So God should not be despised or even questioned about bad happenings. He promises a time coming when all of His children will have no more suffering and have a wonderful life forever with Him and His Son. Not even any current church can provide such a wonderful atmosphere that is indicated in Revelation 2122. Note: Try to see the links between the verses and determine the reasons why they are in the order they are in. Also try to determine the reasons why each line is indented in the position it is. Look for relationships of coordinate and subordinate ideas. Finally, there are reasons why some words/phrases are in bold print and some words/phrases are underlined. You could use this study for a spiritual inventory of your lifestyle. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God Is revealed from faith to faith; As it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” [Romans 1:16-17] (See also Hebrews 11.) “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (The Holy Spirit was called the Comforter by Jesus Christ.) Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.” [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]

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“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope— the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” [Titus 2:11-14] “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish (be forever destroyed) but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, But that the world through Him might be saved.” [John 3:16-17] “Knowing that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (See also 1 Corinthians 15.) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many increase to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, (a relatively brief time in history) works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” [2 Corinthians 4:14-18] “Nevertheless, in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new Earth, the home of righteousness So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.” [2 Peter 3:13 &14] “Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day (of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ) will not come until the rebellion (falling away) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” [2 Thessalonians 2:3] “The Lord knows how to rescue Godly people from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment.” [2 Peter 2:9]

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“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” [1 Thessalonians 2:12 & 13] “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Holy Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” [1 Thessalonians 5:16-22] “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Now unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. [Jude 20-25]

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