Suffering Is It Punishment From God? - WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT SUFFERING

The suffering we encounter is not divine punishment for  a specific sin. Jesus himself was very close on this matter when he and his disciples saw a man who have been blind from birth.  "His disciples asked him: 'Rabbi, who sinned, the man or is parents, so that he was born blind?  Jesus answered:  'Neither this man sinned nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be manifest in his case." - JOHN 9:1-3.

In view of prevailing misconceptions, Jesus ' disciples must have been surprised  when he told them that  neither the man nor parents had sinned in way that brought on misfortune. Not only did Jesus cure the man's blindness but by doing so he overturned the erroneous belief that suffering is a punishment from God. (John 9:6, 7)  Those who suffer from serious health problems today can find comfort in knowing that God is not the cause of their affliction.

The Scriptures assure us

* "With evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone." (JAMES 1:13)  Indeed, the "evil things" that have plagued mankind for centuries, including sickness, pain, and death, will soon be eliminated.

* Jesus Christ "cured all who were suffering." (MATTHEW 8:16) In healing all who came to him, God's Son demonstrated what God's Kingdom will accomplish on a worldwide scale.

* "He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will outcry nor pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away." - REVELATION 21:3-5. 

Next time

WHO IS TO BLAME?

Why, then, does mankind experience so much pain and suffering? Mankind has been pondering that question for centuries.  If God were not to blame, who is responsible? The answers to those questions will be discussed in the next blog.

Next time:  Suffering -Is It Punishment From God? -Who Is to Blame?

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