Church MO

Why do good people suffer?  As we think about that for a moment, bear in mind the words of Jesus… “There are none good….”.  So, Jesus is telling us that everyone suffers because it is impossible for anyone to be “good” in this world?  Exactly!  Unless you are behind His shield of protection (blood), wearing His robe of Righteousness, you do not qualify for the “goodness diploma.”

So, lets re-phrase that question….  Why do people suffer?  The most obvious example of the suffering of man, apart from Jesus, is found in the book of Job.  He suffered tremendously.  Who was Job?  He is the son of Issachar, who was the son of Jacob. (Genesis 46:13)  Job was prosperous.  He was in the lineage of Abraham, covered under the covenant that God had with Abraham.

People often point to the book of Job when we speak of the character of God.  …Why would God “let” that happen to Job?  Honestly?  Satan had a legal right to access Job on the earth.  So, how can Satan go to God? …That position used to belong to Adam…  Satan had a legal right to go to the throne, because he took Adam’s place.  Satan complained that God was responsible for all of Job’s blessings… and it was true, He was.  (God wants you prosperous also…)  God favored Job and put a hedge of protection about him…

Because Satan is the ruler of this world, having obtained that from Adam, he had authority over all men… over the whole world.  …Which included Job.

Now, however, Satan must contend with Jesus and His followers…  Still having access to the throne, he uses the 10 Commandments and the Law to persecute people… (The Law can kill you!)  The Law is not a bad thing, nor the 10 Commandments.  It is God’s standard for our lives… but impossible for man to adhere to …  Now, however, thanks to Jesus, believers have a new covenant with God.  We are under the dispensation of Grace.  We are no longer in bondage to the Law.  Our covenant supersedes it. Grace is provided for everyone, but we must appropriate it for ourselves. The Word says that we are saved by Grace through faith, and not by works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Grace is our gift from God….  The “works” of the Law cannot provide that for us.  It’s impossible.  Only the Christian covenant can get you to heaven, heal the pain in your body, deliver you from the bondage of sin and Satan.

Job did not have the covenant with Jesus..  Neither was he bound by the Law or the 10 Commandments, as that was before the time of Christ, and Moses.  Job was under the Abrahamic covenant…  God placed a hedge about  him because He loved him, and Job was faithful.  But not “legally” protected by God… which is why Satan could torment him as he did.

Our covenant (contract) with Jesus is superior to anything that Job could experience.  Because of the cross and resurrection, we are at liberty to choose the better way…. the only way.  We don’t have to suffer as Job did, or as any suffered before Christ arrived….  We have access to the divine protection of Jesus, which includes healing for our bodies.  Too many Christians struggle today because they haven’t read the “contract”, ….or heard it preached the way it is designed for us.  We don’t have to suffer, we have to believe.  Jesus healed all who came to Him. (Matthew 12:15)

Rick

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