Sin and Pain

Sin and Pain

Luke 13:1-5 (ESV)  There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Sometimes we feel like we are hurting because of things we’re doing, things we’ve done in the past, or even our family history, and sometimes we’re right.  Look at what Jesus said to the fellow He healed at the pool of Bethesda:

John 5:14 (ESV)  Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

Jesus certainly seems to imply it was the sin in this man’s life which brought about his condition.  But, it is always the sin in our lives that brings this to be?  Look at this passage just a few chapters later:

John 9:1-2 (ESV)  As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. ² And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³ Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

So, it’s not always something in our lives that brings about pain.  Sometimes it’s so God can show Himself and His mercy to the world.  Because God is gracious, Jesus healed both these men.

The question then falls on the head Scripture above.  People were killed for no apparent reason.  Did the people who died in the earthquake that collapsed the Nimitz Freeway in 1989 die because of unconfessed sin?  I don’t think so.

!n 1775, an earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal, killed more than 12,000 people – some think as many as 50,000.  Many of these victims were in church at prayer for the observation of All Saints Day.  Were all these people killed because of a angry God taking vengeance on their sin?  Of course not.

The problem we see here is natural evil.  The fact we live in a fallen world:

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)   Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Why is this important?

We all face troubles:

Matt. 5:45b (ESV)  For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.   

Pain is caused by sin whether ours, or Adam’s, or someone else’s.  God uses suffering in our lives for many reasons.  Yes, one reason is discipline, but He also uses it to guide us, to teach us, even to show others how Christians act in the face of trials since we have God in our lives to encourage us.

Were God to make the Christian life perfect, we would see a lot of people seeking salvation but very few growing through the tough times and very few sincere conversions.  Our major periods of growth are usually in the valleys of life and not on the mountain tops.

So, if we are suffering now, we should look for any unconfessed sin in our lives, seek what God might be trying to teach us, and study His Word to seek His truth and guidance.