But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. [Luke 4:25-27 KJV]
Why one and not another? The thought was addressed again, later.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? [Luke 13:2 KJV]
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? [Luke 13:4 KJV]
The personal cry is “Why me, oh Lord; why me?” Do we so think of ourselves as different from others? And, when we see one afflicted, do we wonder what they have done to deserve it? Do we ask who sinned, as Jesus’ disciples did?
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. [John 9:1-3 KJV]
Do we require explanations of all the events in our lives? Must all of our lives either be blessed or cursed of God?
The sun rises and sets, a natural consequence of God’s creation. Storms gather and disperse, also a natural consequence of God’s creation. Just as Christ’s answer in Luke 13 tells us that there are natural consequences in every life.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [Luke 13:5 KJV]
So, are we then to believe that once we repent all will be perfect? Not hardly. But we do know that repenting, turning from old ways to new, will bring a comfort provided by God.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. [John 14:26 KJV]
Whether our afflictions are part of the natural consequence of God’s creation, or specific working of God to be made manifest in our lives, our response should be to accept the remembrances brought by the Comforter. That includes all the messages God has for us in His word. Reading it often in prayerful communication with our Father opens understanding and allows His lessons to direct our lives.
John explains why he wrote, and I believe it holds true of all scripture.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. [John 20:31 KJV]
Why one and not another? The thought was addressed again, later.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? [Luke 13:2 KJV]
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? [Luke 13:4 KJV]
The personal cry is “Why me, oh Lord; why me?” Do we so think of ourselves as different from others? And, when we see one afflicted, do we wonder what they have done to deserve it? Do we ask who sinned, as Jesus’ disciples did?
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. [John 9:1-3 KJV]
Do we require explanations of all the events in our lives? Must all of our lives either be blessed or cursed of God?
The sun rises and sets, a natural consequence of God’s creation. Storms gather and disperse, also a natural consequence of God’s creation. Just as Christ’s answer in Luke 13 tells us that there are natural consequences in every life.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [Luke 13:5 KJV]
So, are we then to believe that once we repent all will be perfect? Not hardly. But we do know that repenting, turning from old ways to new, will bring a comfort provided by God.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. [John 14:26 KJV]
Whether our afflictions are part of the natural consequence of God’s creation, or specific working of God to be made manifest in our lives, our response should be to accept the remembrances brought by the Comforter. That includes all the messages God has for us in His word. Reading it often in prayerful communication with our Father opens understanding and allows His lessons to direct our lives.
John explains why he wrote, and I believe it holds true of all scripture.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. [John 20:31 KJV]
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