Why Does God Allow Evil?...

“Oh, the depth of both the riches and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out!” (cf. Romans 11:33).
“Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong?” (cf. Job 36:23).
“… Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (cf. Job 9:12).
“.. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘Wha have you done?’” (cf. Daniel 4:35).
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD do all these things,” (cf. Isaiah 45:9).

Disaster doesn’t just come to India, but to all people for no one is immune from the judgment of God. Job suffered evil at the devil’s doing unjustly and he still didn't fault God. Who are we to blame God? “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (cf. Gen. 18:25).

We are to pray for God’s protection, a hedge of protection, or a shield to be delivered from evil as in the Lord’s Prayer. God didn't spare His own Son from evil and even Christians are not immune. Our God knows suffering first hand from what He suffered on the cross- if ever there was unwarranted evil that was it. But I suppose the Hindus would attribute this evil to karma. After a disaster, Jesus’ disciples wondered if they had deserved it: “Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish.” (cf. Luke 13:5).

But God is too deep to understand too kind to be cruel and too wise to do wrong or make mistakes. We are to note that God only allows short-term evil for long-term good. And all evil brings the opportunity for good to be seen in men. The ultimate question is not why evil? but why good? We deserve no mercy at all from God. If we did it would be justice. God reserves the right to have mercy on whom He will (cf. Romans 9:15,18).

Don’t think that this is the way God originally created the earth when He said “it was very good.” Sin and evil entered the picture. Satan has some effect on nature too but only with God’s permission—look at the calamities that happened to Job. Even though evil does happen, God’s guiding hand is there to filter anything contrary to His plan and will. In sum, note that God never explained Himself to Job or give him the answer he was looking for, but only revealed Himself; the answer wasn’t, “Why?” but “Who?” (God owes no one an explanation!). Note that the same sun melts the butter hardens the clay; some become bitter, some better!

In sum, a word to the wise is sufficient: We dare not ask God why is there so much evil in this fallen world (if there is a God), but why is there so much good (if there is no God)? Soli Deo Gloria! 

The Obedient Believer Part I

The Obedient Believer Part II

 "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him"  (Acts 5:32, ESV).

"[T]eaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Matt. 28:20, ESV). 
"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal [not temporary, probationary, nor provisional!] salvation to all who obey him" (Heb. 5:9, ESV).  
"For they have not all obeyed the gospel..." (Rom. 10:16, ESV).
"[I]n flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus"  (2 Thess. 1:8, ESV).

"... [A]nd a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith"  (Acts 6:7, ESV).  Unbelievers are called "sons of disobedience" in Eph. 2:2 and God delights in obedience:  "To obey is better than sacrifice..." (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22).  Jesus said that you cannot love Him and be disobedient, for if we love Him we will obey Him as the proof of the pudding.  Christ doesn't give suggestions, hints, or good advice, but commands!  He instituted two ordinances to be done in His name and memory (baptism and communion).  Jesus said, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me..."  (John 14:21, ESV).  What are these commands that are so pivotal to our salvation being fulfilled?

Jesus did say that His yoke is easy and His burden is light in Matt. 11:30, and John said in 1 John 5:3 that His "commands are not burdensome."  "And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us"  (1 John 3:23, ESV). Note that in the Upper Room Jesus instigated a new command:  to love one another as Christ has loved us.  He who loves another has fulfilled the Law!  Paul says in Gal. 5:6 (NIV) that the only thing that matters is "faith expressing itself through love."

At the Bema or tribunal of Christ, our works will be judged, not our shortcomings and mistakes or sins, because they were judged at the cross, and this includes sins of omission.  If Jesus commanded us to do something and we fail, it's a sin of omission.  He is not going to inquire as to what school of theology or denomination we subscribed to, but will be interested in granting us rewards for the deeds done in the Spirit--the ones done in the energy of the flesh will be burned as wood, hay, and stubble in a fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-13).  Sin can be defined as knowing the right thing to do and falling short or not doing it.  There is a legitimate place for ignorance if it's not willful.

There is a danger in sectarian pride and bias, such as feeling you're right and everyone else is wrong or disobedient to the Word of Truth.  Churches aren't saved en masse, but members individually as if going through a turnstile one at a time.  A good believing and faithful Lutheran has the edge over a disobedient Baptist because churches don't save and aren't necessary for salvation, as Roman Catholics espouse, Christ alone is the Savior.  However, it is important to remain faithful to the faith you were taught and to abide in the truth without apostasy or heresy.  A church is a cult when they get exclusive and think they have a monopoly on the truth, or think they are superior to other churches or denominations.

The real reason we get baptized is that we are disciples who desire to follow our Lord and His example in baptism to inaugurate or make our testimony official and public.  We should never feel that it is just a hurdle to jump over or test to pass to get accepted and that we "have to do it for salvation."  Grace-oriented believers never feel they "have to" but that they "get to" or "want to" obey their Lord and do as He did, following in His steps.  Baptism is a chance in a lifetime to get on track and give your testimony in public in order to be welcomed with "the right hand of fellowship" per Gal. 2:9 (ESV).

There are many measures and standards of obedience, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes: "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him"  (Acts 5:32, ESV).   Whether we pray regularly and walk in the Spirit, abide in the Word, witness and fellowship and worship through association with the body of Christ are also crucial factors to weigh and consider.

You cannot say that Baptists are the obedient believers because they are correct in this ordinance (i.e., baptism), while Lutherans are disobedient.   There are way too many aspects of obedience to just label believers like that due to sectarian bias.  As Paul says in Rom. 1:5 that he wants to "bring about the obedience of the faith," he is primarily concerned with the entirety of the person's walk--the whole package, net effect, or sum total and result.

The church needs to fulfill the Great Commission to be obedient as a body, though individuals can do it, it's usually a joint and cooperative effort to evangelize, preach, teach, baptize, and disciple.   As Jesus said, "To whom much is given, much is required."    But teachers are especially responsible for disseminating sound doctrine and being good examples to the flock.  Soli Deo Gloria!

The Neccessity Of The Crucifixion...

 "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other," (cf. Psalm 85:10, NIV). 

"All things come to pass of necessity."  (John Wycliffe). 

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene to be delivered from His forthcoming Passion if at all possible, but nevertheless conceding and relinquishing to the Father's will and plan from all eternity.  Jesus willingly and obediently went to His death and had both the power to lay down His life and to take it up again, even choosing the exact moment He expired (cf. John 10:17-18).  In other words, He chose to die for us and wasn't forced into it--it would be on His terms.

Jesus had prophesied of His blood being necessary for the New Covenant (as the blood of the covenant (cf. Matt. 26:28) to take effect as the Testator. In the Old Covenant, there had been a constant reminder of sin and continual sacrifices were necessary to look forward to His crucifixion in God's eyes.   It is necessary in wills and testaments for the death of the testator to put it in effect. Jesus' blood sealed the deal!   If the blood of Abel spoke volumes to God then how much more the very blood of the perfect Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Note that only Christ qualified to foot the bill and pay the price.

Our salvation is free to us, but not cheap, it cost Jesus everything He had and we must surrender our all to Him as Lord of our lives Jesus made His sacrifice to end all sacrifices because it was perfect and of infinite value.  Therefore it was sufficient to redeem all of us of our sins. When He said, "Tetelestai," or "It is finished [paid in full]" it meant that Christ's work was done: salvation was now a done deal!  Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and even if we gave all we could or have, it would not be enough to satisfy the wrath of God--He is God's Suffering Servant.  But our best is not good enough! The only reason the cross accomplished the righteousness of God is that Jesus is God as well as man and died in our place for what we deserved. 

All of us are as bad off,, but not as bad, as we can be spiritually or in dire straits in God's eyes and our righteousness is as filthy rags to Him. All of our righteousness is His gift to us, not our gift to Him.  We have nothing to offer Him but brokenness and strife (the sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart). In other words, we are bankrupt in God's economy and must appeal for mercy and grace; not getting what we do deserve (hell) and getting what we don't deserve (heaven).  Good for us that Christ thought that He would rather have us than his life.  We are "to die for!" We must reckon this in light of the fact that God didn't owe us salvation and didn't need to satisfy His holiness and it would've been just to condemn every sinner.  It's the mercy and grace of God that He had mercy on anyone at all. 

We mock Christ and belittle His Passion when we try to earn our way to heaven, especially by keeping the Law.  "If righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died in vain." (cf. Gal. 2:21). In fact, if we rely on the Law for righteousness, we are under a curse (cf. Gal. 3:10).   None of us is capable of abiding by the perfect Law of God and need someone to obey it for us and be our Substitute.  God accepts vicarious obedience! Jesus didn't just do a good deed in dying for people but took on our full penalty due us for our sins and became sin for us, but not a sinner.   As Isaiah 53 says, He was crushed for our iniquities, bruised for our transgressions, and by His stripes, we are healed.

Christ didn't just die to be our example, though we are to follow in His steps (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21) nor was it just a moral example or lesson from God of Him exercising justice in some kind of moral universe to teach us some lesson.  It was necessary for Him to suffer these things and then enter into His glory, as He said.  Jesus wasn't just some martyr and champion for a good cause either!   The concept that the crucifixion was just to satisfy God's government of the world to see that justice is served is also erroneous because it would only exhibit God's righteousness but not save anyone.  Christ was no innocent victim either who got trapped or tricked by the wicked Pharisees and Pilate.  But "He became obedient to the point of death,"  (cf. Phil. 2:8). He never asked us to feel sorry for Him but to believe in Him.  And Christ's death was no accident of history either or some fluke of injustice, for He was guilty in the sense that He was assuming our sins.

And God planned this event from all eternity and even used the evildoers to do it, though it was still voluntary, they did as written of the including Judas (cf. Acts 2;23:4:28): "This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge," "They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."  Christ didn't deserve the cross as if He had done anything wrong and it was His karma or was reaping what He sowed. But the reality or truth is that "the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all," (cf. Isaiah 53:6).  Crucifixion wasn't even an honorable way to die and this concept is rejected by Muslims as being too repugnant and undignified for God. 

Some will say that since God is love, He should freely forgive us; however, He is also just and holy and sin offends Him and its price needs to be paid; death  God did show His love by laying down His life while we were incapable of any righteousness of our own. We are all born "in Adam," or in solidarity with him and under condemnation as we are not only sinners, but it's our nature, birthright, and freewill choice to sin.  If Christ had not died and also conquered death by rising from the dead we'd still be in our sins! Christ paid our full and due penalty and the only thing we contribute is our sin and need.  We reckon that God is now both just and justifier (cf. Romans 3:26). 

The climax and central fact of history is the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Christ. If this is not as God tells us it is the biggest and cruelest hoax in history, but if true it's the most wonderful truth, even in that we now know what love is; that Jesus laid down His life for us. (cf. 1 John 3:16).  Soli Deo Gloria!