God does not control everything because He chooses not to. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. He was one of the original 12 disciples, he was privy to direct conversations with you when you were here on earth. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Jesus didnt say wed never be sick, but He promised we could be healed (James 5:15). Home 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 2. These attributes are justice, wrath, power, love, mercy, and grace. Now why does God exercise his freedom in choosing one and not another? In one instance the answer was yes, and in the other it was no. Often, when we ask, "Why doesn't God just save everyone?" we start with the assumption that we are more compassionate than God is, and that puts us on the wrong track from the get-go. (Matt 5:9; James 3:18) How do you explain this conjunction and its implications?. Thats verse 23, and thats the ultimate goal of the universe. A quick intro and overview of our ministry and this website, plus some best-of articles and Q&A. All rights reserved. We are all sinners and no one is more deserving than another. Why Does God Heal Some People But Not Others? The point of what Im saying is that it was a great struggle for me. Only God can know whether to healor not heal will best move the person forward toward His goal of building the mind of Christ in them. Contact Us. The Apostle Paul made this very clear in Romans chapter 9. However, two broad categories shine forth in the Scriptures: 1. They are perishing. Why God intervenes to save one and not another, when all are equally undeserving; why the things of God are revealed unto babes while hidden from the wise and prudent, can only be answered in the language of our Lord, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." (Matthew 11:26.) A person may sincerely pray and truly have faith that God can heal, but if it is not God's will to provide the healing at that time, then no healing will come (see 1 John 5:14 ). Bad things happen to some people for *reasons* and not to other people for *other reasons* and ultimately God's protection or lack thereof has very little to do with it. Personal updates from Samantha. Can you please help me understand why its OK for Him to stop attacks like this sometimes and not others? Pauls answer comes in Romans 9:6: It is not as though the word of God has failed. Then he gives his basic answer why: For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel. Thats his basic answer. Pain of any kind mental or physical frequently drives a person towards Jesus, perhaps for the first time. Privacy Download our eBooks to read on your computers, phone, tablet, or eReader. The answer is no, thats not a feasible interpretation. To reflect on this issue in the group, we did three things. Local: 704-401-2432 Is there injustice on Gods part? Thats where I started in writing my book: Is there injustice on Gods part? And his answer is by no means., The rest of it, verses 1523, offers support for why theres no injustice on Gods part. God heals to demonstrate His power to perform works in this world (John 9:2-3 John 9:2-3 [2] And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Did we lose or did we truly feel we could outsmart God and his ultimate plan so that we could have our loved one here and absent from eternity? But let me ask you a question: Where is your little niece now? Humans are free to exercise free will (within the context of that complicated web of cause-and-effect). I have been a Christian for a long, but I realize that its hard for me to forgive people but yet I expect and demand that God forgives me. He desires to act with kindness and gentleness towards human beings. Some of us work longer, but we don't necessarily get more out of it. I was reading Romans 9 today and came across what is known to be a very hard-to-swallow passage and doctrine. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The same people who asked for intervention in her life were also praying for Von. Contact Us. Billy Grahams 9/11 Message From Washington National Cathedral, Summer Soul Refresher: God Will Fight for You. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Why God blesses some and does not bless others is a complex and sensitive issue requiring theological carefulness. Isnt health and wholeness in this life what He wants for us? Jesus healed the paralytic on the mat when he saw the faith of the man's friends; he healed the Roman centurion's daughter based on that man's statements about Jesus ( Matthew 8, 9 ). You are chosen. He did it. His wife Samantha maintains this site as well as their missionary outreaches. 165. r/Christianity. His deep desire is that we learn to trust Him in all things including matters of healing. Gods purpose was that Paul be moved towards this goal through physical suffering. Or did it have some other explanation? "And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.". I feel like Romans 9 is a watershed of how you view God. But God's will is that those individuals knit together to form a new community. Episode 1320. Why Does God Intervene Sometimes And Not Others? Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). However, two broad categories shine forth in the scriptures: God heals because He is compassionate. The healed body becomes independent of God; prideful and forgetful. If he revealed his presence to us, we'd be. American King James Version. (Psalm 119:1; Prov 20:7) Some blessing comes as a reward for blessing others. Because of this, we live in an evil and arbitrary world, where even the innocent are often attacked. Well, perhaps just to encourage those who struggle with the message of Romans 9, let me give a little autobiography. Paul says, I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. I know God loves both the victim and the criminal with a love we can never understand this side of eternity. Hello, Pastor John! It does deal with individuals, not just corporate peoples. The first was to reflect on our own stories of finding faith, and on the factors involved, in two stages: Think for a moment about the process by which you came to faith. United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. God gives good gifts to all people, regardless of their righteous deeds. Lamentations 3:22 says the Lords compassions never fail and according to Hebrews 13:8, Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. In the case of rape, murder, abuse, etc. And then there are those that put out lesser effort but still receive the same or sometimes even more. God doesn't bless everyone alike. He also said He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). He does no one no human being ever anywhere any wrong. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 289. "God can't reveal himself to us clearly," this argument goes, "because he wants us to have free will. By Billy Graham . Dont be envious of what others have, but make certain of your commitment to Christ. God is no less capable of transforming our lives into His powerful instruments than He was with Joshua's life. When Paul refers five verses later, in verse 22, to Gods desiring to show his wrath and make known his power, [enduring] with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, thats exactly what he has just done with Pharaoh in verse 17. You know it's the same thing that John says in John 1:11-13, do you remember that? And yet, in the end, we lost. Centuries ago the prophet Habakkuk complained to God, Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? A person may be poor as far as this worlds goods are concernedbut rich beyond measure if they know Christ. To more fully explorewhat God's Word has to say about the larger questions related to human suffering in this world, our free Bible study guideWhy Does God Allow Suffering? The choices described in Romans 9 are not that one will live and be blessed while the other dies. The apostle Peter said, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. American King James Version). Some might say that his prayer team lacked faith, except for the fact that Joann was healed in response to their petitions. The deeper answers explaining why people don't seem to receive physical healing are, however, very helpful and I would like to share several of them that have guided me in that spiritual direction that does lead to physical healing, for I do believe that, ordinarily, God wants us to be physically whole and healthy. Since living God's way brings with it a consequential blessing. Almost implying that God can but doesnt necessarily mean he does it? We were tried, and we felt victorious. We can question God about why He doesn't heal us or someone we love, but we cannot know what God does not answer from His Word. Its not feasible to take the words that way. From May of 1979 through January of 1980, as I studied, all I did was think and pray over Romans 9 day and night, every day. So, in the spring of 1979, I asked for a sabbatical. A person may be poor as far as this world's goods are concernedbut rich beyond measure if they know Christ. The best way to view our articles and Q&A. You arent the first person to ask this question, nor will you be the lastbecause sometimes it does look like God blesses people who dont deserve it. As. "God changes us, molds us, strengthens us, and builds us through hardship. So the question addressed in this chapter is, Has Gods promise to Israel fallen? Pauls overall point in this section is that God is just in having mercy on whom he will (Romans 9:14). God is extremely humble; He puts others above Himself. I understand your hurt, but I want to assure you that God understands your hurt even more than you do and wants to surround you with His love and compassion during this difficult time. 5 Ways to Honor God with Your Christmas Giving. Suffering Produces Character. Grace thru Faith is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Is that a feasible interpretation? She can choose to learn from his mistake and finish her own education. God only permits it. In other words, does what if mean Oh yeah, he could act that way, and that would fit with Pipers Reformed understanding of this text, but he doesnt really act that way. Aaron is asking, Is that a feasible interpretation?. I have shared the struggle with those who read this chapter and scratch their heads and try to reorient their minds. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He gives his argument in Romans 9:15, where he says, For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.. I think Romans 9 really addresses the eternal destinies of people, not just historical roles. So when God chooses one group He has a specific purpose in mind. Never forget: Because of Christ we have hope. However, two broad categories shine forth in the Scriptures: 1. You might believe that the devil is a thief and a murderer, and therefore, in your view, Satan killed our brother. To reflect on this issue in the case of rape, murder, abuse, etc exercise his in... Watershed of How you view God God gives good gifts to all people, not just historical roles he (... The good of those who love Him ( Romans 9:14 ) this section that. I feel like Romans 9 is a thief and a murderer, and builds us through.... 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