When The Innocent Suffer

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Text:2 Corinthians 1:3-7

It is good to be here and be reminded of Jesus.
With what our world is going through we need to understand that this world is not the end and the earth is not our home but if we are made right with God through Jesus most precious blood there is a home far beyond the blue where all of our wildest dreams of peace and joy will come true!

The world has once again been halted in its activities as evil has displayed itself in the hearts of two young men and 13 innocent people had to pay dearly with their lives!
It is tragic that we lost two young men who took their own lives but the real tragedy is that they took 13 others who didn't want to leave, who wanted to see their moms and dads, who wanted to hold their children, who wanted to make their marks on society and live their lives!

We are made to ask the question: why does this have to happen?
Why when people have evil in their hearts must innocent people suffer as well?
Of the victims in Colorado, two young girls were known for their deep religious beliefs, and one of them a blonde girl aged 17 used to carry a Bible to school under her arm. The insane gunman came up to her and asked, "Do you believe in God?" She said, "Yes." Shot dead!
Age 17- gone way too soon, life taken from her mother, father, children, society as a whole for professing she believed in God!
In this dark sin-filled world it's hard enough to bear a penalty for our own sins, why do some have to bear others?
We look for a blame: politicians, teachers, schools, parents, society etc.
but what do we do with the question: not, why does this happen?
Why does this happen to innocent people?
Let's look at something about God: Proverbs 6:16-19. Note vs.17- hands that shed innocent blood.
God hates when innocent people suffer at the hands of evil! Matt.23:35 - there is retribution with God.

> Why does this stuff happen?
Why is there a Paducah, KY incident? Then, Jonesboro, ARK, then Columbine high?
Why is there so much of this going on? Why are their abortions? Wars? Child abuse cases?
I'm going to tell you my answer: I don't know!
There may be some partial answers out there: but I have never found a fully satisfying answer to this problem. There are some things however that we as the people of God need to know.
What do we do now that it has happened?
What do we say to the people who want to know what the believers in God have to say?

  1. When evil is encouraged, evil results! Isa.5:20
    We live in a vigilante-glamorized society. It's a stomp your feet mad society. We don't train our people to take ribbing, to deal with anger properly, to let things rub off of them.
    Jesus said, "Do unto others, as you would have them done to you." Our movies and music says "do to others what they have done to you, or before they do it to you."
    We are living in a society that says don't let anything in your life that doesn't feel good, but do what makes you feel good. If its pornography, sex before marriage, being gay, right down to lashing out in anger, do it if it feels right!
    Woe to those people who call evil good and good evil!
  2. When evil is acted out, the innocent suffer! Gen.50:20- Joseph, you meant evil against me.
    This is nothing new, although we can't understand it and we want answers, innocent people have always suffered at the hands of the evil.
    Psa.119:161 - princes have persecuted me without a cause. 1 John 3:12- Abel. John 8:40-42-Jesus.
    Why does this have to happen?
    In all my studies of God and His word, I don't know the full answer.
    Some might say, wouldn't that cause your faith to waver?
    No, my faith indeed becomes stronger because I know that He has the full answer.
  3. God seeks to comfort the innocent sufferer!
    One of the mistakes we sometimes get about Christianity is the idea that no one is allowed to suffer!
    There's something wrong with your relationship with God or your lacking something spiritual if you're hurting.
    GARBAGE!
    God does not forget the victims. We better not forget the victims. We have somehow confused not taking revenge with feeling hurt!
    Abraham -Gen.12:3. Us-Zech.2:8. Jesus own ministry included the hurting - Luke 4:18.
    Look at 2 Cor.1:3-5 - the God of all comfort!
    Why doesn't God just make it impossible for innocent people to be hurt?
    Again, I don't know and I'm not trying to make light of anything. But let us try to look at it this way:
    If God took away the possibility of hate - we wouldn't know the wonder of Love!
    Pain - recovery
    Discomfort - comfort
    Separation - reunion
    Cuts - healings.
    2 Cor.1:6,7
  4. God can make good come out of suffering!
    It is not good that loved ones are separated by some maniac with a gun. But God can bring things together for good.
    Suffering can bring about a blessing in the future.
    Joseph - Gen.50:20- God meant it for good. I became a Saviour of life.
    You can do that with your suffering. Even still better greater things can be in the life beyond. Rom.5:34, Matt.5:4.
    Fathers & sons, mothers & babies, wives & husbands, health and life all restored in the great beyond.
We cannot always answer why these things have to happen?
We shouldn't become so arrogant to think that we can.
Who can explain Auzchwitz?
But God does have a remedy: Isaiah 1:14-20.
God will avenge: Romans 12:19, Rev.6:9-11.
God will avenge the innocent! You can count on it.
When this life is over and all wrongs are righted and all debts are paid, the question will remain, will you go to the home where no evil can come, or will you go to the home where only evil exists?
Haven't we had enough of it here to experience it again?
Jesus offers you a home in heaven where neither death, nor sorrow, nor crying, and no pain exists.
Please come to him?

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