And His disciples asked Him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” John 9:2 (New American Standard Bible)
At the height of a great physical illness I received an unsigned postcard from what I presume was a well-meaning Christian. The person wrote, “If you just get your mind off your problems and more on God you wouldn’t be suffering as you are.” Who sent this card is immaterial. Why they sent it is what bothered me.I have thought like this person more times than I’m comfortable admitting as I think have most of us. I’ve found if someone is suffering the last thing I usually consider is that God might be working something in a life to bring Him ultimate glory. But most often because suffering is present I automatically assume the only correct conclusion is that this person is most likely being punished due to some sin in their life. That’s ungrace, beloved.
The Lord’s own disciples thought that way. But does it mean that the negative experiences of life are some kind of punishment for sin or lack of faith? God doesn’t cause suffering but He certainly can use it to forge molten pain into spiritual steel. As He has worked in my trials He has always brought me to a point of awe and glory in His ways. What was Jesus’ reply? The answer is both beautiful in its insight and its simplicity, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed.”
My human condition really has to work to be quick to think and slow as Christmas to speak. I am constantly on the alert when these feelings of ungrace begin to surface and I am tempted to judge the circumstances of another. Jesus’ example was to build up the flock of God and not cast stones. Any stone I need to deal with in the course of what I see in another’s life need only be the Foundation Stone Jesus Christ.
Ken
Get it right or let it alone, the conclusion you jump to may be your own. James Thurber
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
The Lord’s own disciples thought that way. But does it mean that the negative experiences of life are some kind of punishment for sin or lack of faith? God doesn’t cause suffering but He certainly can use it to forge molten pain into spiritual steel. As He has worked in my trials He has always brought me to a point of awe and glory in His ways. What was Jesus’ reply? The answer is both beautiful in its insight and its simplicity, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed.”
My human condition really has to work to be quick to think and slow as Christmas to speak. I am constantly on the alert when these feelings of ungrace begin to surface and I am tempted to judge the circumstances of another. Jesus’ example was to build up the flock of God and not cast stones. Any stone I need to deal with in the course of what I see in another’s life need only be the Foundation Stone Jesus Christ.
Ken
Get it right or let it alone, the conclusion you jump to may be your own. James Thurber
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
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