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The just shall live by faith Rm 1:17 Why do bad things happen to good people? My answer is that they are not living by faith. I would venture a guess by “good” people we are referring to people who keep the commandments pretty well and we usually think of sin as the transgression of the law. So when somebody gets sick or is hurt in an accident and they are “good” people we blame God. Why did you let this happen God? And we are miffed at the very least. But in the bible sin is also unbelief and that which is not of faith, and knowing to do good and not doing it. All are examples of sin. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb11:6). So unless we are living by faith God is not bound to help. If we are not living under the umbrella of God's protection, not only under the blood of Jesus, but living a life of faith, God can very well stay silent. Unless some one of faith intervenes the person hit by tragedy is at the mercy of fate and natural means of recuperation. But if there is at least one or two people of faith God is free to act. Now for me living by faith is living a spiritual life: spending time with God, dealing with sin and the flesh, and loving your neighbor as yourself. So people who have not received Christ are not the only people I am talking about. I am also talking about people who know how to confess the word, like by his stripes I am healed or God wishes for me to prosper and be of good health even as my soul prospers, yet are not living a full Christian life. Unless a person is committed to putting all of God's word into practice, unless a person is living by faith, that person may or may not receive what he or she is asking for and God may be silent. But if the person is not only a student of God's word but a doer of the word and not a hearer only, God in many circumstances can change the course of nature. Jesus in his ministry often had to deal with others unbelief like in his own town and often took people aside to pray for them so there are other considerations to take into account when we are praying for God's intervention. Sometimes we need other people of faith, if two or three shall agree on earth as touching anything it shall be done, and sometimes God has other purposes in mind. The trial of our faith is more precious than gold for instance. But for the person who has weathered some of the challenges of life, to the person who has received Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for that person much good can be done for others and God can get the glory. If today you hear God's voice, harden not your heart. Live the gospel. Live by faith. Live a spiritual life and God's silence may just be replaced with his mercy and love. Don't wait until you are in a crisis. Begin now. Amen |