Pain and suffering...
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." -1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV
Yes, its true that some Christians have suffered and even been killed because of their beliefs. And I have heard people ask how could God allow such pain and suffering. Well, there are any number of reasons why there is pain and suffering. First, it could be a direct result of man or mankind. Second, pain and suffering could be caused by evil forces at work here. In Ephesians, Paul confirms this by telling us to put on our spiritual armor and to be ready to defend ourselves against it. Third, it could be a direct result of something that we have done ourselves. Forth, it could be from God. In the book of Romans, Paul talks about the wrath of God. And he talks about God's vengeance for those who have been wronged. It is a real possibility. However, I don't think its my place to judge any situation and determine if pain and suffering is a result of a person's sinfulness. There is no way for me to know for sure. Also keep in mind what God told Moses in Exodus 4:11: "And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made mans' mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? In John 9:1-3: "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
Personally I think a majority of pain and suffering here on Earth is nothing more than absolute proof of free will. God gave man a paradise here on Earth and it took us no time to destroy it with our free will. As another example, I have the free will to go touch a hot stove should I choose to do so. And the result of that will be pain and suffering. I sure can't blame God for the pain and suffering caused by that. Its not His fault. Its mine. Also people sometimes ask how God could allow an innocent child to be born into this world with severe health problems or deformities. Well, its very possible that God did not have a hand in the health problems or deformities at all. It could be a direct result of man's sinfulness or ignorance. A result of man's free will. It could have been caused by any number of things. The child's mother could have knowingly or unknowingly exposed the unborn child to dangerous drugs, toxins, or something harmful in the environment. Man has the free will to go out and pollute the environment with toxins and radioactive materials. These things can have a very frightening impact on human genetics.
David
