Sometimes we become so focused on details that we fail to see the scene as a unit, a whole. For example, we can become so captivated by twenty-first century questions about origins of this world that we find ourselves engrossed in creation details as those details apply to our questions in this age.
The first three chapters of Genesis [the first book in the Bible] establish the core emphasis of the rest of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Briefly Genesis 1-3 affirms three things. (1) This world and life has its origin in the Creator God. (2) Evil successfully attacked the intent and purposes of the Creator God in this world by deceiving the pinnacle of creation. (3) Human hardship and tragedy are the consequence of evil's deceptiveness. In a brief order/ presentation, Genesis introduces the reader to the problem that lies at the core of the rest of the Bible: the profound impact of evil on the human condition. Evil's influence in human existence is so profound that only the Creator God can (1) create the solution for people and (2) provide people an opportunity to escape the final consequences of evil. Those two things were [are] addressed by the Creator God through Jesus Christ.
This lesson seeks to focus attention on this biblical truth: evil produces consequences. In this world, a life without consequences produced by evil is impossible. We may seek to medicate ourselves so we ignore the existence of evil. We may pursue pleasure with such a passion that we are distracted from the existence of evil. We may dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of power in order to fashion the illusion of "being in control." We may seek to build a sense of security that permits us to think we are "bullet proof" in a dangerous world. We may seek to escape all identified dangers by altering our environment. Yet, sickness is always possible. Change constantly provides evil with incredible new tools. Accidents are always possible. Death is inevitable.
Devastating things happen to good and evil people. Accidents befall good and evil people. The ungodly decisions of others result in consequences in the lives of good and evil people. The consequence of living in an evil world is having your life touched by evil. The issue rarely is why do evil people who are unconcerned with good suffer. The issue commonly is why do good people who are concerned with righteousness and justice suffer. Or, why do innocent people suffer?
There are numerous questions concerning human suffering that are never satisfactorily answered. As a society focused on details for generations, we are more prone to ask, "Why?" than to resign ourselves to a reality. Whereas people in many current societies resign themselves to accepting the reality of suffering as a fact of human existence, the American society seems to exist under the illusion that we will some day produce a society free from all forms of suffering.
The Bible makes no comprehensive effort to provide a detailed explanation of the "whys" of suffering. Only in a basic, general manner does the Bible address this reality. "Why does suffering exist?" "God's intent in creation was perverted by evil. As a consequence of that perversion, the physical world exists as a primary battle ground in the war between good and evil." Abraham suffered. Lot suffered. Jacob suffered. Joseph suffered. The people who were pre-Israelites suffered. In the Bible, the nation of Israel suffered. Peter suffered. Jesus suffered. Paul suffered. In fact, the New Testament states that men and women who belong to God must have this basic understanding: those who belong to God do not "fit in" or "belong to" this world (see Psalm 39; Hebrews 11; 1 Peter 2:4-11). Can those who belong to God continue to belonging to God? Can God sustain the godly? Surely! However, can the godly escape the consequences of evil in this physical world? Surely not! (1) At times they will suffer as a result of the consequences of those who do not follow God. (2) Sometimes they will suffer as a result of personal deception by evil. (3) Sometimes they will suffer as a consequence of personal rebellion against God. (4) Sometimes they will suffer because they are a casualty in the war between good and evil.
It often is difficult to determine the "why" of a specific suffering. Yet, there is one awareness the godly person must never forget. While this world of conflict between good and evil is the site of our pilgrimage, it is never the site of our habitation. When a Christian "puts down roots" in this world as though this world is "my home," he or she "opens the door" to increased hardships and decreased godliness.
To conclude that we can eliminate all suffering and difficulty by existing in Christ as a godly person is to be self-deceived. In Christ, we are forgiven. Daily! Continually! Read 1 John 1:5-10. We are allowed to come before God, not because we have recognized and eliminated all evil from our lives, but because of what God did and does for us in Christ. Read Hebrews 4:14-16. The evil in each Christian, though forgiven, still produces consequences. Certainly, we must be responsible in our pursuit of holiness as people who belong to God! Read I Peter 1:13-21. However, to approach the holy God as if there is no evil to be forgiven in us is the ultimate expression of human arrogance! Consider Jeremiah 10:23, Isaiah 6:1-7, and Romans 11:33-36.
As long as we exist in this physical world, we will experience the consequences evil produces.
Thought and Discussion Questions
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 1