In athletics, there is a saying, “No pain, no gain.” When someone is lifting weights, running, swimming, or countless other exercises that I am unfamiliar with, in order for the various muscles to grow, there needs to be force exerted into them. The stress allows the muscles to grow so they will be able to withstand the new force exerted unto them.
One of the most common questions asked about life is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Then there is the extension of that question, “Who do bad things happen to Christians?” The primary answer would be to help everyone grow.
How good would life be if once we commit to Christ that we no longer have to have trials, suffering, or even tribulation? Alas, no one is promised an easy life. We are not promised a life without suffering, trials or tribulation. Yet, we are promised, that God will work out all things for our good, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)
The first thing that is mentioned in this passage is a two-word phrase: We know. The only way a person can know something is through experience. It is not based upon conjecture or speculation, but experience. We know because we have experienced it. Malcolm Muggeridge, in Homemade, July 1990 wrote, “Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful, with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.”
The second aspect is that God takes all things (good and the bad) and works it together for the good of those who love Him. This is not necessarily talking about the temporal good in our lives. Temporal good is what the men of the world are seeking after, and generally have the greatest share of, and what many expect when they see this verse. Temporal good is only that though, temporary. While a believer will receive some temporal good, it is not the goal of a believer. However, they have with a blessing; and even sometimes afflictions work for the temporal good of God's children.
The good that is mentioned is the good that deals with the spiritual and the eternal. Spiritual good lies in a lively exercise of grace and conformity of the soul to God; and is what the men of the world least regard and the believers regard as the most. Eternal good is the penultimate good. This good is the good that will last for all eternity. The crown of eternal life is the eternal good. The book of James re-emphasizes this point in 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (NASB)
Results may lie hidden long, but they will come out, showing that God's hand has guided events to their results with unerring wisdom. In the light of eternity, if not in the light of time, they shall see it all, and seeing it shall wonder and adore. Do not allow yourselves now to be deprived of this great prize. Remember the athletic creed: No pain, no gain.
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2 comments:
Are you saying that christians can sin & do things they know are wrong & expect God to work those out for good and not punish us? Won't we, like David in the Bible, have to pay for those deeds or does God use everything that we do for a purpose to glorify him? Just something I've always wondered about. --Sue
Sue, that is a good question. No, I’m not saying that a Christian can knowingly and willfully commit sin and then expect God to make everything better and not punish anyone. I would expect God to punish the sinner, because I see punishment as a way to make someone better. Punishment should not be taken as a negative thing, but a positive thing. What is the purpose of a parent punishing their child? To make them a better person. God is a loving parent and the Holy Scriptures tell us that God will punish us, “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:5-10 NIV emphasis mine)
When David sinned against God, he was punished. He was also redeemed and restored by God. Yes, there was some conflict in his life because of his sin, yet God still redeemed and restored him as the king of Israel and did not take the rod from his hand. Pastor Bob Beaty said the other day, “We should not confuse redemption with the original plan.” Because we are redeemed does not excuse or legitimize the sin, nor will God legitimize the sin. But we can see God working and moving through the redemption of someone.
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