The Bible says and we Christians say.
God is good.
A lot of things are bad.
Cancer
Birth defects
Wars
So many things that it seems like God could fix. But doesn’t appear to.
The world isn’t how God made it.
It was made that way by our bad choices.
Why did the guys who wrote the Bible think God was good?
Paul was angry and judgmental towards Jesus and his followers. He wanted to kill them.
What changed?
“But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up into heaven and saw the glory of God. And he saw Jesus standing at God’s right side.”
Acts 7:55 ERV
“Stephen said, “Look! I see heaven open. And I see the Son of Man standing at God’s right side.””
Acts 7:56 ERV
“They took him out of the city and began throwing stones at him. The men who told lies against Stephen gave their coats to a young man named Saul. As they were throwing the stones at him, Stephen was praying. He said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He fell on his knees and shouted, “Lord, don’t blame them for this sin!” These were his last words before he died.”
Acts 7:58-60 ERV
Seeing someone willing to die for the claim of resurrection wasn’t enough for Paul.
“Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was a good thing. Some godly men buried Stephen and cried loudly for him.
Acts 8:1 ERV
“So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
“Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.”
Acts 9:3-5 ERV
This experience changed Paul forever.
“I will show him all that he must suffer for me.””
Acts 9:16 ERV
Paul was.
Beaten
Shipwrecked
Imprisoned
Finally killed
“We have small troubles for a while now, but these troubles are helping us gain an eternal glory. That eternal glory is much greater than our troubles.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 ERV
“I was circumcised on the eighth day after my birth. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Jew, and so were my parents. The law was very important to me. That is why I became a Pharisee. I was so eager to defend my religion that I persecuted the church. And no one could find fault with the way I obeyed the Law of Moses. At one time all these things were important to me. But because of Christ, I decided that they are worth nothing. Not only these things, but now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ.”
Philippians 3:5-8 ERV
“If our hope in Christ is only for this life here on earth, then people should feel more sorry for us than for anyone else.”
1 Corinthians 15:19 ERV
They suffered in this life as proof for us.
We see the goodness of God more when we Focus on heavenly things
“You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth.”
Colossians 3:1-2 ERV
God gives us tastes of heaven.
“But God was always there doing the good things that prove he is real. He gives you rain from heaven and good harvests at the right times. He gives you plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.””
Acts 14:17 ERV
Family
Friends
Pets
Nature
Miracles
“Crippled people will dance like deer, and those who cannot speak now will use their voices to sing happy songs. This will happen when springs of water begin to flow in the dry desert.”
Isaiah 35:6 ERV
