Acts 14 Lesson

Why do bad things happen to good people?  This is a question that can have serious implications for our faith if we are unable to answer it.  

We will begin today's lesson by looking at this question along with two others:

1. Where is God  when something horrible happens?
2. Why does He not intervene?

The best way to answer these questions is to start with these four truths:

1. God loves us,
2. Satan is the ruler of the earth,
3. God allows us to suffer for our own spiritual well-being,
4. There is no pain or suffering in Heaven.

We will look at these truths one at a time  in today’s lesson.

GOD LOVES US

God’s love is stronger than anything we have experienced or  can imagine. He loved us when we were trapped in sin, and that is why He sent His Son. As you read the following verses, think about how much you are loved by God the Father:

1. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” - John 3:16,
2. “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed in the love which God has for us. God is love,and the one who abides in loveabides in God,and God abides in him.” -1 John 4:15-16,
3. “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39.

SATAN IS THE RULER OF THE EARTH

Understanding that God is allowing Satan to temporarily rule the earth is fundamental to understanding why bad things happen to good people. Did you know that Satan is referred to as the “ruler of the earth” several times in the Bible?

It is not something that we hear a lot, but that is exactly what the Bible says. Consider the following scriptures: and what implications they have for us as we follow Christ and seek out our own path to Heaven:

1. “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” - 1 John 5:19,
2. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 4:4,
3. “The ruler of this world will be cast out.” -John 12:31,
4. “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” - John 14:30.

In these four verses, Satan is referred to as:

• “The evil one,”
• “The god of this world,”
• And “The ruler of the world” twice!

Knowing this, we need to pause and consider what the implications are for those of us that are seeking to go to Heaven. Understanding that Satan is the ruler of the earth explains a lot of horrible things that we see happening all around us. When we understand that God is permitting Satan to rule the earth for a period of time, we understand the influence that Satan has on spreading sin and destruction throughout the world. Peter wrote about this in his first epistle:

• “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8.

WHY GOD ALLOWS SUFFERING

Suffering is part of being a Christian!

For followers of Jesus, it is not a question of if they are going to suffer, it is a question of when. Peter and Paul wrote about this in the following two scriptures:

1. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” – 1 Peter 4:12,
2. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12.

Suffering comes in different forms.   As Christians, we may experience physical suffering, persecution, isolation, or any number of things.  

God allows suffering for three reasons:

1. To teach us,
2. To disciplineus,
3. To shape us (into the people that He created us to be).

There are many verses about suffering in the Bible. For today’s lesson, we have selected these three:

1. "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17,  
2. “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” – Psalm 119:71, 
3. “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5.

As we live our lives, we must continue to meditate on God’s word to help us keep our suffering in its proper perspective. The following two scriptures will help us do just that!

1. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:18,
2. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” – Galatians 6:9.

Whatever suffering we endure on earth, it will be nothing compared to the glory that awaits the faithful followers of Jesus in Heaven!! And no matter how bad our suffering on earth may be, it is only temporary.  It will have a beginning and it will come to an end.

Heaven, however, is forever!! 

HEAVEN

Today’s lesson would be incomplete if we did not talk about Heaven, what it will be like, and the hope that we have in Jesus to spend eternity there.

As you read the following three verses about heaven, think about what it would mean to spend eternity with God, Jesus, and all the saints! It is this excitement that gives us hope and allows us to persevere during times of adversity.

1. “He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4,
2. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” - John 14:2,
3. “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” -1 Corinthians 2:9.

Heaven is a place that is more beautiful than anything we can imagine or any place we have been before! (1 Corinthians 2:9) Unlike earth, there are no tears, no pain, and no death in Heaven. In fact, the Bible teaches us that we cannot begin to comprehend the majesty of Heaven. It is something that we will need to see for ourselves to believe!

CONCLUSION

Satan is the ruler of the earth. That is what the Bible teaches, and because he is, we know that there will be suffering and even tragedies on earth.

Satan is a formidable adversary that is constantly prowling the earth seeking somebody to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).

God allows suffering for three reasons:

1. To teach us,
2. To disciplineus,
3. To shape us (into the people that He created us to be).

When we are suffering on earth, we need to remember that our suffering is temporary and that Heaven is forever.

We will end today’s lesson with the following words spoken by the Apostle Paul. They are the same words that we hope to be able to say when our time on earth is coming to an end:

• “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8.