6 years ago
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Website Facebook Twitter Instagram EVER WONDER WHY? WHY DID GOD LET IT HAPPEN? • “If God is not able to prevent evil, then He is feeble. • If God is not willing to prevent evil, then He’s not all good. • If God is both willing and able to prevent evil, then why does evil exist?” Epicurus Christianity makes sense of, gives meaning to, and offers a solution for the evil and suffering we experience. They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” 12 This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishment Psalm 73:11-14 NIV If God is loving, why would He allow suffering? If love is a choice, suffering is a possibility. If there is no God, who decides there’s evil? Why do bad things happen to good people? … “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 NIV So why does God allow suffering? For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NLT When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17till I entered the sanctuary of God … 26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:16-17, 26 NIV TALK IT OVER Read Revelation 21:4. How does knowing that suffering is temporary influence the way you view it? Talk about a Bible story or Scripture that comes to mind when you think about evil and suffering. What can you learn about God from that story? Share about a time when you saw God use a painful part of your story for good. What was that experience like?
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EVER WONDER WHY?—2 A VOICE FROM HELL Why would a loving God send people to hell?
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:29 NIV
“‘They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire …’” Jeremiah 7:31 NIV
Hell exists for God to righteously punish Satan.
And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Revelation 20:10 NIV
Hell exists for God to righteously punish evil.
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ... 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21 NIV
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Luke 16:22-24 NIV
“… ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27-28 NIV
The rich man was fully conscious and aware.
The rich man’s eternity was irrevocably fixed.
The rich man knew that his suffering was just.
The rich man begged and pleaded for someone to help his brothers.
… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God …Romans 3:23 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:8-9 NIV
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
TALK IT OVER
Read 2 Peter 3:9. How does knowing God doesn’t want anyone to perish impact the way you view Him?
One reason hell exists is for God to righteously punish Satan, who is the embodiment of all evil. Talk about any area of your life that the enemy might be trying to steal, kill, or destroy.
God is holy and just, which means He must punish sin. How can you find freedom from sin and hope in Jesus today?