Bible Questions and Answers

Thank you for your question.

From the Old Testament we understand two things.

1.      God knows in advance everything that happens to every part of his creation.

2.      Every man woman and child is condemned to die (a) because Adam disobeyed God and brought death upon his posterity (b) because we all sin. All children as soon as they are old enough to be responsible for their actions will sin and God knows this in advance. It is the consequence of having free will.

Because we live under a regime of sin and death none of us has a right to length of life, health or prosperity.

Christ died not to improve our lot in this life, but that we might have hope of being raised from the dead to a better life at a future date.

We see that Christ voluntarily gave up this life in order to attain to life eternal.

His life and death were examples of deprivation, sorrow and suffering to set us an example.

If God allowed his only begotten son, who did no sin, to suffer and die, why should we expect better for those who sin.

The future life he offers us is eternal life - free from sin, pain, sorrow and death.

To live forever in the kingdom of God on this earth.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

On this basis the length and quality of this life is insignificant except in the sense that adversity should draw us nearer to God.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The book of Job was written that we might see that evil happens both to the just and unjust, rich and poor, small and great.

NIV Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless.

Seeing that suffering and death seemingly occur randomly and that one day we must all die, it should concentrate our minds on finding out what God requires of us before it is too late.

Christ tells us that not even a sparrow dies without God’s involvement.

God is the potter we are the clay. He can do with us what he will and we cannot complain.

We should be prepared to receive both good and evil in this life.

Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Knowing that both life and death come from God.

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

And that God has provided a way for us to attain to a better life if we willingly respond.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Can I suggest that you read the booklet below?

Why Does God Allow Suffering? (Click on the title)

If you then have further questions please ask.

I hope this helps

Glenn Smith

If you are interested in understanding the Bible, a Bible course is available on www.thisisyourbible.com There is no charge. The sole aim of the course is to help you to understand the Bible. If you sign up you will be assigned, without cost, a personal tutor to guide you through the course and answer your questions.