Yesterday I wrote about some of the worldviews that are out there, which seek to explain what happens in this thing called life. Today, I want to dive in a little bit into what I have seen and observed from God and from His Word that truly seems to explain this the best, and which fits so much of our lives, even as we realize that there is far more going on than we can ever suspect.
Most worldviews struggle to answer the questions like, "Why do bad things happen to good people," and "Why do the wicked get away with so much and seem to prosper?" These would seem to be anamolies in life, and yet, they happen with such frequency that we always seem to be asking the question.
Believe it or not, God reveals some things that truly do explain that situation far better than many others that I have investigated. First, God tells us that He created us to be good, in His image. We were created to perfectly love and care for others. But then, God tells us that we lost that image by losing our relationship with God when the first man and woman disobeyed God. Now, we became disconnected from God, and this thing called sin entered our human relationships.
This thing called sin now causes us all kinds of trouble. We take advantage of each other, we hurt each other. We want what doesn't belong to us, and we're not content with what we have. Some of the problem is right there inside of us. And then, God tells us that there are outside forces also at work. Satan and his followers look to latch on to that inborn trouble spot and draw us even further away.
Yet, the foundation of God's will and design for life were still alive in us. That is found in the rules, or laws, of God. Inherently, we know it's wrong to murder, or to steal. Sure, the definitions of some of those rules may be different from one culture to another, but the essence of them is still the same. You don't steal your buddy's wife, or stuff. You don't just stick a knife into someone if they tick you off. And there are times where we still respond appropriately to that design that is written into our lives.
Likewise, we also know that, if we tend to treat others one way, they will respond in somewhat of a like manner. When we're kind to others, they have a tendency to be kind to us. If we're a jerk to others, we probably shouldn't be surprised that they don't like us. And yes, God does address all of these in His Word.
That's a big part of the reason why I hold so firmly to what God tells us in His Word. It makes sense. Sure, it's helpful that there are real places that correspond to what the Bible says, and it's great that archaeology has proven some of the Biblical facts. But, in a sense, what God says just really does accurately describe life. And that, at least for me, speaks volumes about why I should listen and follow in this particular way.
Most worldviews struggle to answer the questions like, "Why do bad things happen to good people," and "Why do the wicked get away with so much and seem to prosper?" These would seem to be anamolies in life, and yet, they happen with such frequency that we always seem to be asking the question.
Believe it or not, God reveals some things that truly do explain that situation far better than many others that I have investigated. First, God tells us that He created us to be good, in His image. We were created to perfectly love and care for others. But then, God tells us that we lost that image by losing our relationship with God when the first man and woman disobeyed God. Now, we became disconnected from God, and this thing called sin entered our human relationships.
This thing called sin now causes us all kinds of trouble. We take advantage of each other, we hurt each other. We want what doesn't belong to us, and we're not content with what we have. Some of the problem is right there inside of us. And then, God tells us that there are outside forces also at work. Satan and his followers look to latch on to that inborn trouble spot and draw us even further away.
Yet, the foundation of God's will and design for life were still alive in us. That is found in the rules, or laws, of God. Inherently, we know it's wrong to murder, or to steal. Sure, the definitions of some of those rules may be different from one culture to another, but the essence of them is still the same. You don't steal your buddy's wife, or stuff. You don't just stick a knife into someone if they tick you off. And there are times where we still respond appropriately to that design that is written into our lives.
Likewise, we also know that, if we tend to treat others one way, they will respond in somewhat of a like manner. When we're kind to others, they have a tendency to be kind to us. If we're a jerk to others, we probably shouldn't be surprised that they don't like us. And yes, God does address all of these in His Word.
That's a big part of the reason why I hold so firmly to what God tells us in His Word. It makes sense. Sure, it's helpful that there are real places that correspond to what the Bible says, and it's great that archaeology has proven some of the Biblical facts. But, in a sense, what God says just really does accurately describe life. And that, at least for me, speaks volumes about why I should listen and follow in this particular way.
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