When was the last time you sat down and wondered about life? Many bible-believing people contemplate the surrounding world and the prosperity and longevity of the wicked.
Many scriptures warn about the consequences of sin and yet if we look at life we see that the ungodly seem to prosper.
Psalms 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Here we read that the ungodly shall perish or die. Look at what the psalmist said regarding the question of the wicked prospering.
Psalm 73:11-12 11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches
You see, if you live long enough you begin to realize that scripture is questioned by some because it seems to contradict what life's experience reveals.
In other words, many wonderful God fearing people have been robbed of life, love and family at a young age while scores of evil, God-rejecting people are prosperous and live to be a ripe old age with their children by their side, seemingly untouched by this world's evil.
Take for example the apostles: they lived godly lives, and for the most part, they all died horrific deaths.
* Take Stephen; they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. * Phillip was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified in 54 A.D.* Matthew suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd (a medieval weapon: an ax blade and pick with a spearhead on top, mounted on a long handle.)* Matthias, of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.* Andrew was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross. * Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.* Jerome said that Peter was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the LORD was.* Soldiers came and led Paul out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.* Jude, the brother of James ' commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified. * Bartholomew was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.* Thomas was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.* Luke is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece. * Simon, surnamed Zelotes, was crucified.* John was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Can you see how one would begin to question the scriptures and be puzzled by what life's experience and history testimonial state?
Now depending on your biblical background or lack of it, I'd like to list three common answers I have come across to answer the question "Why do bad things happen to godly people, and why do the wicked prosper?"
Answer 1: No matter what happens in this life (good or bad) it is the will and justice of God. Answer 2: If something bad happens its punishment from God. Answer 3: It's the devil's fault.
Regarding the first answer no matter what happens in this life (good or bad) it is the will and justice of God.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
The problem with the first answer is that there is no room for spiritual realities or human choices, like demonic influence. Human choices have no room in this answer either. The choices you make will place you in the position of receiving a blessing or the consequence of your wrong decision. There is no room for human error here. It may be that you just had a simple accident no right or wrong just a mistake because you are human.
Now the second answer regarding the question why bad things happen to godly people. If something bad happens, it's punishment from God.
This has the same problem as the first. there is no room for spiritual realities or human choices, or demonic influence, and it carries the added mistake of attributing evil to God.
It is true that God does and will chastise his children for we are instructed in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:11-12 11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
However we also know that God is light.
I John 1:4-5 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
So, if something bad happens don't be quick to blame God.
People say things like, "God killed my child so he could have a new flower in heaven." A person is raped or abused and some say that it's God's punishment.
Do you think God needs the Devil to administer his chastisement? Do you as a parent need the Devil to correct your child?
Job 1:22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Now remember, we are talking about how one could begin to question the scriptures and be puzzled by what life's experience and history documents regarding the question why the wicked prosper and why bad things happen to godly people
Now the third answer I've heard to this question is: It's the Devil's fault. The problem with this answer is that it relieves you of all responsibility for the choices you make and the actions you take.
If you blame everything on the Devil, he has become your scapegoat. You will never consider the possibility that maybe the problem lies with you.
Job's friends blamed Job for the tragedy that come upon him. They were sure that he had sinned and God was punishing him for his sin.
NLT Job 4:7 [Eliphaz said]"Stop and think! Does the innocent person perish? When has the upright person been destroyed?"Job 6:24 [Job answered] Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
To be continued … ÿ