God is all Light and all Good
“This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 WEB)
Now that my daughter is in hospital, I can write about the verse above. When bad things happen, do you blame God?
“I prayed for protection. Why is she allowed to get bitten by insects? Why didn’t you prevent the insect bite from swelling? Why?” I could have easily gone down that path of trying to reason out things that I can’t even begin to understand in the spiritual realm.
However, when sickness, accidents or poverty strikes, it is not because God is testing us. The devil is the one who causes death and destruction.
God is light—He is all good. Every virtuous trait is His. His heart is love and everything He does for us who believe in Him is good.
“For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalms 100:5 WEB)
When the devil attacks, don’t say that it is God. The Lord is working to turn everything around for your good.
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose...What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:28, 31-32 WEB)
The flesh will make you question God, but the reborn spirit knows that He is worthy to be praised.
If God sent His precious Son to redeem you from sickness, pain and poverty, why would He afflict you with them?
Let’s stop making up smart-sounding excuses to justify why God is causing calamities to happen to you. This is not God testing you, but you are coming out with a testimony.
The New Testament does talk about a type of testing but that is talking about persecution for your faith—when people treat you badly for being a Christian. But you getting afflicted by sickness, poverty or depression is not God testing you.
“Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:12-16 WEB)
Like Paul said, if you are persecuted for being a murderer, thief or evildoer, don’t claim that you are being persecuted for being a Christian. Persecution for your faith means that others insult and bully you because you believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The other type of “test” is the opportunity for us to test out (to use) what we believe, in real-life situations.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3 WEB)
For example, you learnt that God is good and that His grace is supplied to you apart from works. If you believe that, you will apply it in the way you live—you will test it out in real-life situations. Instead of blaming God, you will place your trust in Him to deliver you from harm.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2 WEB)
In every situation, believe that God is good and that He is all light. You are coming out of that situation by His mighty power at work in your life!
Some believers are confused about God and still see Him as sometimes angry and sometimes loving. That is such a hindrance to bold faith. Understand the four gospels correctly, through the lens of Grace: https://bit.ly/understandeveryparable
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