Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

- Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

As we look at this passage, we wonder, "If God is in control, and He is; and if God is all powerful, and He is; why did He let all of this stuff happen to His man Paul? If God is in control, why do bad things happen to good people?

This past Thursday, July 8th, my family and many others, gathered at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to do 2 things. We gathered first, to recognize those in the Sheriff’s Department and in the community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, this past year. We celebrated with them as they received the medals and awards they so richly deserve. 2nd, we gathered also to remember those in law enforcement and around the world, who have given their lives to protect our lives and our freedom.

It was 6 years ago, this past Thursday that I received a phone call, telling me that my dad had been shot and killed in Geneva, in the line of duty. Thursday night, as we again listened to the honor guard firing their 21-gun salute, as we listened to the sad wail of the bagpipes and the lump-in-the-throat producing sound of “taps” being played and echoed by trumpets, I thought of the many times I have heard those sounds in the past few years. I thought of the many times those same trumpets are played for our soldiers each day. I thought of the volunteer firemen who died in the town neighboring ours, just weeks after my Dad’s death. I thought again of the teenage girl from our church, a young girl who, with a friend, had prayed to accept Christ in my office. I thought of her phone call and heart-breaking cry as she told me she had been raped. As my mind replayed those events, the question again came to mind. The question asked by so many, both inside and outside of the church. “If God is in control, why do bad things happen to good people?”

Now, I do not know the mind of God, I cannot share all of His reasons, but this morning I would like to share with you, 7 reasons from God’s Word, why bad things happen to good people.

I. WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

1. Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world

– Read Gen. 3:1-19

If you remember, in the beginning chapters of the Bible, man and woman lived in the Garden of Eden, a virtual paradise. There was no pain, no suffering, no heartache, and no death. Then Adam and Eve sinned. Because of their sin, the whole world was cursed. The deaths we have waiting for us one-day, the loneliness, sickness, pain and disease we endure today, all come because of man’s sin. People ask, “How could a loving God let people get sick? How can He allow cancer, and strokes, and Alzheimer’s?” My friend, if you buy a brand new car, and go out and rear end someone and wreck it. You don’t blame it on the manufacturer. It is broken as the result of your actions. The sickness, and disease we endure today, the hurricanes and tornadoes, the droughts and floods, the struggle at work and pain in childbirth all came as a result of man’s sin. They broke it. The world is not like God created it.

Why do bad things happen to good people? They happen because we live in a fallen world.

2. Bad things happen to good people because of the sins of others.

– Read 2 Samuel 11:14-17

If you remember, King David committed adultery with Uriah’s wife and she became pregnant. When David found out, He tried to cover his tracks by having his faithful soldier Uriah come back from the battlefield. David welcomed him, and then sent him home to be with his wife, thinking Uriah would sleep with his wife and then not know that he wasn’t the father. But, Uriah didn’t go and sleep at home. He would not enjoy the pleasure of a roof over his head and his wife’s company when his fellow soldiers were still on the battlefield and while the Ark of the Covenant was there as well. Was there ever a more innocent and committed man than Uriah?

Since his first plan failed, David had Uriah, an innocent man, killed, to cover his tracks. My friends, bad things often happen to good people because of the sins of others. Think of the families who go without food, because their fathers are addicted to gambling, drugs, or alcohol. Think of the innocent who are killed on our highways each year because others were driving drunk. Think of those killed in the Twin Towers because of other’s sins. Bad thinks happen to good people because we live in a fallen world, they …