Why Does God Allow Suffering? | Embracing Correction

Hey, everybody. You're listening to A New Beginning, which is a podcast made possible by Harvest Partners. If this program has impacted you, I'd love to hear from you. So just send an email to me at gregatharvest.org. Again, it's gregatharvest.org.

You can learn more about becoming a Harvest Partner by going to harvest.org. You shouldn't be concerned if you cross a line and the Lord gives you a swan. You should be concerned when you cross a line and you feel no regret or guilt at all. You should be more concerned when you can sin with abandon and even feel like it's okay with God.

That's when I'd be scared if I were you. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Again, you hear all the angels are singing.

This is the day, the day where life begins. It's no mistake that the words disciple and discipline are related. Those who truly follow the Lord wholeheartedly, genuine disciples, may often feel the loving hand of correction when they stray. Disciples are sometimes disciplined. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out that discipline may sometimes be perceived as suffering. And we may ask God why we're facing that pain. But Pastor Greg points out that suffering can be an effective way for God to guide us.

It's the day, the day where life begins. This is the story of a blind man who was healed by Jesus one day. He also became a believer in addition to having his blindness healed.

We've all heard people say seeing is believing. In his case, believing was seeing. Because he saw things he had never seen before. Not just faces of friends and family, not just the beauty of God's creation, but he saw spiritually as well. And he discovered what the real purpose of life was because he saw Jesus. In fact, that was the first person he saw when he was healed, the Lord himself. And that is why he saw everything else in its proper perspective.

And so let's go now to John chapter nine and we'll read a few verses together. Now as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?

And he was born blind. Jesus answered, neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day.

The night is coming when no man can work. And as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he said these things, he spit on the ground and made clay with the saliva and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay and he said, go wash in the pool of Siloam, which is translated sent. So the man went and washed and came back seeing.

We'll stop there. So here's this question. Who sinned, this man or his parents, to be in the state he's in? In other words, why was this man born blind? And we could take that further and ask the question, why are babies born with a disability? Why is there war? Why is there terrorism? Why is there tragedy? Why, why, why?

It goes on and on. Really in the classic statement of this problem, either God is all powerful, but he's not all good, therefore he doesn't stop evil. Or he's all good, but he's not all powerful, therefore he can't stop evil. And the general tendency is to blame God for all of the evil and all the suffering in the world, effectively to pass all the responsibility on to him. And so this is not a rational thing that is happening when people do this, but there's nothing rational about it.

People are just upset and so they're passing these things on. And so here now, Jesus is gonna sort of set the record straight. And let's deal with this question. Can physical suffering on earth be a result of sin?

The answer is yes and no. Let me say in a broad sense, all suffering is a result of sin. And I don't mean personal. Like if someone's born with a disability, I'm not suggesting they did something bad to deserve that.

Not at all. All suffering, aging even, a death, it's all a result of sin. You see, it was never God's plan for us to get sick. It was never God's plan for us to get old. It was never God's plan for me to be bald. But because of the curse of sin, it affects me, it affects you, it affects all of us because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden.

In Romans 5, 12 says, as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, death spread to all men because all men and women, of course, have sinned. So we immediately think, well, why did God make it that way? Why didn't God create us so we would not sin? So what you're really saying is, why didn't God make us into robots, right?

He doesn't want a bunch of robots. He wants us to love Him because we choose to love Him. But with that choice to say yes, also came the ability to make the choice to say no. Free will is our greatest blessing and in some ways our worst curse. And so really we come down to this question about suffering, why it happens.

And we always want to find cause and effect. Well, Jesus actually told a story in the book of Luke, chapter 13, about a tower that fell on a group of Gentiles, a well-known news event. The tower fell and killed some people. And so Jesus asked the rhetorical question, were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? And then He said, no, I tell you again, unless you repent, you will also perish. So basically Christ is addressing this idea of bad things happening that make no sense.

And here's what He's saying in effect. Bad things happen. People die.

There are not always explanations. Sometimes we see evil people do evil things and pay the consequences, right? And sometimes we see godly people killed.

A bus full of people going to a church retreat are killed by a drunk driver that pulls out of his lane and hits them and he survives. We say, where's the justice in that? And we don't understand that bad things happen that are inexplicable this side of heaven. Here was Christ's point. Hey, you think they were the worst sinners?

Actually, they weren't. And unless you repent, you will perish. In other words, guess what, guys? No one gets out of here alive. Everyone's going to die. Bad things happen. Christians get cancer.

Christians are killed in automobile accidents. A godly people face tragedy. It is not always something we can explain, but the most important thing for us is we have hope as followers of Jesus Christ because there's more than life on this earth. There is life beyond.

So that's the key. So let's consider some ways that suffering can work in our life. First of all, there is corrective suffering.

If you're taking notes, write that down. This is the idea that God will allow or send some pain in our lives to get our attention. Let me say that again. Corrective suffering is the idea that God will allow or even send some pain in our lives to get our attention. Sort of a wake-up call. Now, by the way, that was not the case in our story before us here of the blind man. There's no cause and effect here. This was just something that happened to him. But sometimes sickness can come as a result of sin.

There can be cause and effect on some occasions. Because we read in John 5 of a man who was healed who was a paralytic. He was unable to walk. He said, you are well again, so stop sinning or something worse may come upon you.

You know, sometimes we bring misery on ourself. You know, someone says, wow, my liver is destroyed. I need a liver transplant. Because you drank for your entire life. Or maybe you went out driving drunk and you got in an accident. Or you got a DUI and you go, I don't know why these things happen. Because you're doing stupid things. That's why. Or, you know, maybe you're out living in a moral life and you get an STD or even worse you get AIDS or something like that. I don't know why this happened.

Because you were doing things you shouldn't have been doing. There can be cause and effect. But there are other times that God will just allow something traumatic to wake us up. To wake us up. This happened to Jonah. Remember God told him to go to Nineveh and preach. Because God wanted to lay down the biggest revival in human history. And God wanted to do it through Jonah. That was his plan. And Jonah said, no way am I going to Nineveh because I don't want those people to repent.

Because they're wicked. And I'd rather God just judge those Ninevites. So God said go. And Jonah said no. And God said, oh? Listen, God will always have the last word.

Alright? You know the rest of the story. A storm came. Jonah got thrown overboard. Swallowed by a great fish.

Barfed on the shores of Nineveh. Finally, reluctantly I might add, he did what God called him to do. And the result was the greatest revival in human history.

A million people effectively believing and turning to God. So you see there was discipline there. And the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12 that the Lord disciplines those that are his. And he says, don't be discouraged when he corrects you. It's a reminder that you're his child.

See? It's a reminder. So you shouldn't be concerned if you cross a line and the Lord gives you a swat. You should be concerned when you cross a line and you feel no regret or guilt at all. You should be more concerned when you can sin with abandon and even feel like it's okay with God.

That's when I'd be scared if I were you. But if your conscience is working and you kind of go over the line and the Lord has something to happen to kind of wake you up. You should rejoice and be reminded that you are a child of God. Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment.

Whenever you send us a letter, an email, or post a comment on social media, we read every word. Pastor Greg, I've been encouraged by your teachings, your podcasts, Sunday services, online studies, and everything else I can get my hands on. I now have a piece that can only come from God. I found a great church home for myself and have been attending faithfully for the past six weeks.

Today, I even signed up to be part of a small group. And while I love all the things I've been learning, what has truly blessed me is seeing God change my heart. I've never shed so many tears of joy over things I see God doing all around me. And your ministry and teachings have been a big part of that. I'm so thankful and want to wish you God's richest blessings.

How have these daily studies ministered to you and your family? Would you let us know? Tell us your story by calling 1-866-871-1144.

Again, 866-871-1144. Pastor Greg is pointing out today that there are different kinds of suffering. Here's Pastor Greg once again. Number two would be constructive suffering. Constructive suffering.

This would be when God wants to do a particular work in your life. We're told that in 2 Corinthians, verse 17, our present troubles are quite small, but they won't last forever. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory. Not Greg-lory, great glory that will last forever. Paul had his thorn in the flesh. Remember that? He talked about it in 2 Corinthians 12.

Why? Why would God allow the great apostle to be afflicted? Well, sometimes with great blessings come great responsibilities.

And with those responsibilities come a certain kind of pain. Paul had the privilege of dying and going to heaven and being called back to earth again. He talked about it there in Corinthians.

He says, I was caught up in the third heaven and I saw things I can't even describe for you. But he says, but lest I get puffed up, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me to keep me from getting proud. Three times I asked the Lord to take it away and the Lord said, my grace is sufficient for you.

Or literally, my gracious favor is all you need. So Paul says, God's power works best in my weakness, so I boast that in my weakness I'm stronger. That was constructive suffering.

Okay, third category. Why does God allow sickness and tragedy? And this is to glorify God.

To glorify God. It can be the endurance of that suffering that can bring glory to God. On this platform I've had the privilege of interviewing Joni Eareckson Tada, who many of you remember. To me, one of the great heroes of the church. A lady who has gone through untold suffering, starting with her diving accident as a young lady. And then since then she's had to deal with breast cancer and so many hardships. But she's so honest, she's so truthful, but yet she honors the Lord. And God has used Joni sitting in that wheelchair to bring hope to millions of people around the world. So God has glorified through her suffering.

I think of my friend Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs. And yet he has taken his powerful testimony and shared it to bring encouragement to people all around the planet. You know, one place that Nick is very effective is with young people. And he'll do rallies in high schools and he hears kids who are depressed thinking life is so hard, you know, for whatever reason.

Their boyfriend broke up with them or their parents took their cell phone away or something. And there is Nick without arms or legs. Speaking of his hope and his joy in the Lord, and he radiates joy. And just him being there is a testimony.

And then when he begins to speak, he has an amazing story. So God can be glorified through the endurance of that suffering. Listen to this.

Let's not forget this point. God can be glorified by removing that suffering. Sometimes the Lord will allow it and then he'll say, I'm going to be glorified by removing it. Or I'm going to be glorified by answering your prayer where everything looks bleak.

And I'll show you my power. That is what happened in the story before us here. Let's reread verses three to four. And I want to add one thing before we read them. Understand when these words were originally given and written down by the scribes and those that recorded scripture for us, they were not chapters and verses. Jesus did not say, chapter 15, verse 1, then speak. That was added later so we could find our way around the scripture. And sometimes those chapters and verses are very helpful. Oftentimes, in fact.

But sometimes they're disruptive. And I think if we not look at the verse numbers here and read the whole statement, we get the idea. Jesus says, neither this man nor his parents sinned.

The statement continues. But that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. For the night is coming when no man can work. In other words, instead of telling how this man became blind or why he ended up blind, here's what Jesus is saying. Don't worry about that.

Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to heal this guy right here, right now. And by the way, God's still in the healing business.

Did you know that? He's still in the healing business. You don't need a televangelist to throw his coat at you. You don't need to go to some so-called miracle service. But you do need to go and pray.

And here's what the Bible says. If you're sick, go to the elders of the church. Let them lay hands on you and pray and anoint you with oil. And the effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much. So we pray and we ask God to intervene.

And he does. I always believe we should pray for healing. There's a promise of healing in Isaiah. Isaiah 53 says, Surely he took up our infirmities and carries our sorrows. Yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But listen, he was pierced for our transgressions.

He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. And by his stripes we are healed. Peter commenting on the same verse as in 1 Peter 2.24.

He himself bore our sins and his body in the tree, that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By his wounds, or stripes, you have been healed. So in Isaiah's passage it tells us you can be healed.

And then Peter says, hey, it's actually already happened. In the New Testament, when a word like this is used, it is speaking also of physical healing. So God can heal. Well, does God heal everyone?

Obvious answer. No. But he does heal some. So let's pray for that. So when I'm called to pray for somebody in a hospital room or facing some other physical challenge, even if the odds are against them and things are looking bleak, we pray for a miracle. And we've seen miracles. We've seen God answer amazing prayers, haven't we? But we always say, well, Lord, you know, if you have another plan, we say not our will, but yours be done. I heard some preachers say, never say to God, not our will, but yours be done. That actually canceled your prayer out.

Really? What, is God a machine? Is God silly or foolish? Of course we pray thy will be done. Our Lord modeled it for us in Gethsemane, and he said, Father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

And that was Jesus himself. So the point is, don't ever be afraid to say, thy will be done. But having said that, pray in faith and pray for God to heal, and we'll leave the results in his hand, because I do believe there could be some who are sick that don't have to be. And if they would just pray for God's touch, they would find it, because James 4, 2 says, you have not because you ask not.

Listen to this. I believe there are financial needs that could be met if maybe you would just pray about it. Maybe the Lord is actually waiting for you to say, I need help from God. I've tried everything I can to make this work myself. Lord, would you help me?

Hey, you have not because you ask not. Think of all the things that God may want to do in your life that he's simply waiting for you to ask him about. Pastor Greg Laurie, with important insight on suffering today, some of the fruit it can yield, and how the Lord wants us to come to him for help. And there's more to come as this study continues here on A New Beginning.

And then we want to share a listener comment we received. It says, Pastor Greg, I wanted to thank you for today's sermon. It really spoke to me. I read a comment by a person I consider a friend mocking the faith in those who follow Jesus. I was hurt and wanted to reply, but instead prayed for them and gave it to God. Then I heard your message, and you said, All that live a godly life will be harassed and persecuted for the faith.

That means you are on the right track with God. I wept listening to your words because it was the reassurance I needed to stay strong in my faith. Thank you for continuing to preach the word. Well, we're so blessed that God is using these daily studies to impact people's lives, to give them encouragement and an anchor. And if you've partnered with us to help make these programs possible, thank you for being used by God. And Pastor Greg, we appreciate that listener partnership. And we have some unique ways to say thank you, don't we? That's right, and you know who you are out there that support us. And thank you so much, and God bless you.

I wish I could walk up to you and shake your hand and have a few moments with you. And I do run into people all the time, Dave, wherever I go that listen to our radio broadcasts, it's a part of their daily routine. And we're thankful for that. But thank all of you for that.

And hey, I'd like to have a few more of you become a partner with us because I know a lot of you make a new beginning, a part of your daily life, or you listen to the podcast or you tell others to listen to it. Well, thank you for doing that. And by ordering these great resources we offer, and we don't offer junk resources, people.

I think you know that. If we're going to send you something, it's going to be something you want to have in your library. And whatever you send will be used to continue this ministry called A New Beginning as we teach the Word of God and proclaim the Gospel all around the world.

Yeah, that's right. So we hope you'll make an investment today. And we want to say thank you tangibly. Go to harvest.org and get the details on the book called Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table.

The subtitle is It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind. Louie Giglio digs deep into Psalm 23 to show us how to take back the control of our thoughts and emotions. We'll send this resource your way to thank you for your donation. Go to harvest.org or call us at 1-800-821-3300.

Reach us any time 24-7 at 1-800-821-3300. You know, sometimes we can't always make it to church, but here's the good news. Church is coming to you.

It's coming to you on your TV screen or on your tablet or your computer or even your phone. We do it every weekend, and it's called Harvest at Home. We have worship. We have a message from the Word of God.

If you want to find out more, just go to harvest.org and join us this weekend for Harvest at Home. Well, next time, Pastor Greg has more important reassurance about the Lord's presence and providence during our times of suffering. Join us here on A New Beginning with pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie. This is the day, the day when life begins.

Hey, everybody. Thanks for listening to this podcast. To learn more about Harvest Ministries, follow this show and consider supporting it. Just go to harvest.org, and to find out how to know God personally, go to harvest.org and click on Know God.