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9/15/01
Hi TD'ers:
Last night, [a person] asked a question on behalf of many
people, "Why would God allow the terrorist attacks to occur?"
After I tried to answer that question, I realized that, for
some reason, the answer didn't come out as clearly as I would
have liked. So, I just want to try again to make it a little
clearer.
Of course, I don't know all the reasons why God ordained
this but there are a few things I do know:
1. This didn't happen without God's prior knowledge and
consent (see Job, where God allows Satan to test Job via the
destruction of his family and wealth).
2. The question really is, "Why does God allow evil at all?"
We could ask "Why?" about every tragedy and every death for
that matter. My answer that I was trying to convey last night
is that if God thwarted all evil acts, all natural disasters,
all accidents, all sickness, etc. then we would be in heaven
NOW. We would have heaven on earth.
But this isn't heaven. This is earth, where we get a glimpse,
a taste of both heaven and hell, of God and of Satan, in order
to decide who we'll serve and where we'll spend eternity.
Pain and evil are the natural consequences that follow sin.
If God were to step in and intervene, we would never know
the real ugliness of sin and the death it produces. When God
said, "The day you eat of it (sin) you will surely die", he
meant it. This tragedy in NYC is but one evidence of how wretched
the human heart is (as recorded in Jeremiah and Romans).
This is what I meant last night regarding free will. This
tragedy is a result of man's free will, which we all agreed
that we all wanted. However, I think it's screamingly clear
that to have a will constrained by the love of Christ is far,
far better than an autonomous, God-less, free will.
Unfortunately, people want the benefits of God (peace, prosperity,
etc) without wanting the person of God. We don't want God,
just what he can give us.
3. Keep in mind that God did not allow spiritually innocent
people who weren't going to die, to die. He allowed people
destined to die, to die. He never promised that we would all
die a quiet, serene death. No matter which way you slice it,
death (which is a result of sin) is ugly and painful, whether
it's a sudden death or a natural death after a long life.
My dad died a month and a half ago after living a long life
of 84 years. It was natural and gradual in coming, not sudden.
Let me tell you, it is no easier and no less painful. Death
is death and it is always painful.
I think God is allowing us to get a taste of the true nature
and character of sin.
4. Lots and lots of good is happening in the world in response
to this disaster. People are making unprecedented efforts
to help others, love others, give generously, etc. So many
people are now realizing that life is a vapor (James 4) and
are now thinking about eternity. Just yesterday alone, at
work, I had three opportunities to discuss eternity with colleagues.
And, of course, when you think of eternity, you think of God.
In the last few days, I have heard more acknowledgements
of God and deferment to Him in the public square from public
people than I ever have. I can't speak for God, but I do know
that He causes ALL things to work for the good of those who
love Him (Romans 8). This event IS being used by God to spiritually
wake up a slumbering nation. When all is said and done, God
will have used this event to bring many into the safety and
peace of His of His lordship and reign.
5. As I said all night last night, this world is not our
home. We are here for a short while, on a mission from God.
Our mission is to represent the Lord truthfully and as accurately
as possible. Don't get caught up in making this world your
permanent dwelling!!!
All of the church together gives the world a glimpse into
God's nature: His love, compassion, mercy, grace, truth, orderliness,
righteousness, etc. Let us continue to grow in Christ-likeness
in order to give the world a sample of the sweetness of God,
in order that they may choose Him and flee the eternal destiny
of life without God, of which we all got a small taste of
this week.
Hope this helps.
Arthur
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