Why is God so good to me but not to others who deserve it more than me?
This question and other similar questions can be difficult for us to even begin to answer. Why? Because we are not God. We have a very limited perspective from our vantage point as human beings. We can't even begin to fathom His specific reasons for why He does what He does or allows what He allows. He is God, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55).
But even with all that said, sometimes God does reveal to us why He did certain things in the Bible, such as why He punished Solomon as He did. Solomon forgot Him and turned from Him, so God made it known to him that this was not acceptable in their relationship. Therefore, God in 1 Kings 11:11, tells Solomon that He will tear the kingdom away from him.
Jesus, in John 9, tells us that the man born blind was born blind so that "the work of God might be displayed in his life."
Sometimes, we even get a behind the scenes look at what's going on, such as in the book of Job when God allows Satan to bring calamity upon catastrophe on Job. Why did God allow this? It was a wager, a test of sorts for Job. Was this wrong of God? Who's to say God is wrong in anything He does or allows? He is God, and there is no other. He is only accountable unto Himself. Where else do we have to turn, if not to the greatest, One and Only, I AM?
Maybe the question, then, is not, "Why God?" but rather, "Who is God?" If we can begin to comprehend His character and know who God is, then we can begin to trust Him. If we can trust Him, then that makes all the difference in how we perceive and react to the events that take place in our lives whether, seemingly, good or bad.
So then, who is God? God has revealed himself to us in His Word, His creation, and most importantly, His son. We can not begin to know God except through His son, Jesus, who said in John 14, "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well." To know God, is to know Jesus.
I think I'll stop there, but I want to let you know that this was a great question of the week, and I hope it sparks a lot of good conversation and Truth seeking. The answers you discover, if you apply them, will transform you and the way you see the world. I pray God be with you and guide you on such an endeavor.
Grace and Peace!
Some great points Patrick!
ReplyDeleteThe question, again, was: Why is God so good to me but not to others who deserve it more than me?
First off I have to say I like how the question is worded because it reminds me a lot of the apostle Paul's humility. He repeatedly refers to himself as the worst of sinners despite the fact that he's really the founder of the modern day church (him and Jesus) and the man that wrote a good chunk of what is now the new testament.
The next observation about the question is that it's really deep, which I love. The deeper we can dig into the the person of God and his will for our lives, the closer we can be to him and the more we can love him for the good God that he is.
So that's the question...why does a good God allow bad things to happen if he's so good??? Shouldn't a good God only allow good things to happen?
So without giving my answer, I would suggest you ponder (think about) these things:
Did bad things always happen - like since creation?
When did bad things start happening?
When they did, what did God think of that?
Who first caused bad things to happen?
Who or what continues to make bad things happen?
Keep thinking through this train of thought, let's see where it leads, OK?
Steve
Wow. What a great question!
ReplyDeleteJust one quick thought: we often judge on the basis of material things. I lived many years among people who by material standards were poor. But I learned that sometimes they had a much closer and richer relationship to God than I did. They learned to rely on Him, I was relying on myself. Sometimes material blessings can really distract us from knowing God, and even can become an idol to us.
I love this question....I am looking forward to thinking and looking up scripture about this.
dort
Like your thoughts Patrick!
ReplyDeleteHere are some of my thoughts....
First of all, the question uses the word deserve. We humans DESERVE nothing. If it hadn't been for Jesus dying on the cross to save us, we wouldn't even be here. We owe everything to Jesus, when we think God owes us. I think this question is kind of referring to the age old question " Why do bad things happen to good people?" I agree with Patrick's idea that maybe God is using it as a test for these people. I think that this verse says a lot about this question.
Romans 8:28- For we know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him.
There is another verse in the Bible where God says I will never leave you nor forsake you. Think about that!
~Kari
i really like your thoughts and comments.
ReplyDeletethe principal of the potters house high school came to talk to us the other day. he was talking about him when he was younger. he had mentioned this question and explained that some things had happened to his old neighborhood friends. one of them had died and the other was sentenced to jail for the rest of his life. he was questioning why he hadn't been in a situation like this.
he has been asking God why. he has not come up with an answer and neither have I.
♦Ellen♦