3 Reasons Why Bad Things Happen
Have you ever wondered why bad things happen?
Most of us have looked around at suffering and death and wondered, ‘why’? Surely there has to be a reason for it?
All evil and suffering is ultimately a result of the sinful nature of the world we live in, but where did it all begin?
In the first few chapters of the bible, Genesis chapters 1-2, God creates man in a sin-free environment with total peace and harmony in the world between God and man, but by the time we get to chapter 3 something dramatic happens which introduces sin into the world and thereby also into the lives of humans beings and creation.
As we continue to read the bible Genesis chapter 3 reveals much more and gives us three reasons why sin and evil exist and are pervasive today. Is it all really God's fault, or is there more to the story? You should read Genesis chapters 1-3 for yourself to help get the full picture.
Bad Things Happen Because Man Is Fallen
God originally created humans in a state of perfection. At the end of creation's sixth day, man was called "good" (Gen 1:31). What changed then? Man was created with a boundary, not to eat of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Gen 2:17). As the famous story goes, they "took of the fruit thereof, and did eat" (Gen 3:6), which enacted the consequences of that decision, "thou shalt surely die" (Gen 2:17). Adam does not die physically that day, but he did fall from immortality to mortality because sin produces death (Rom 6:23). He also had a spiritual fall that day, as is evidenced from his fear and separation from God (Gen 3:10). There was also moral fall, as is seen in God's sacrifice to cover their nakedness (Gen 3:21). Adam continued to reproduce, but now that he was fallen, it was "after his image" (Gen 5:3), and not exclusively after God's image created in him (Gen 1:27).
The result of Adam's failure has marred the human race, thrusting every person after him headlong into his same state: fallen mortally, spiritually, and morally. Since Adam, since has "passed upon all men" (Rom 5:12) so that no person can say that they "sinneth not" (Ecc 7:20). The results of these failures makes man weak and prone to evil, which is why we hurt each other and need a Saviour.
Bad Things Happen Because Nature Is Cursed
When bad things happen in nature, we often blame God. Why did He create it this way? Why did He make that happen? While it's ok to ask those questions, we must also realize the reality of the world that we live in. God did NOT create it this way. God called all of creation "good" seven times in Genesis chapter 1.
The earth we live on today is very different. The fall of man also effected the planet. Now it would be "cursed" (Gen 3:17) and would cause "sorrow", yielding "thorns" (Gen 3:18) and require "sweat" to work. God is actually the one who cursed His own creation because of the actions of Adam and Eve. They are the reason why sin "entered into the world" (Rom 5:12), and now "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together" (Rom 8:22). Understanding that the world is flawed because it is cursed helps us to know why there are monsoons, earthquakes, famines, and so on. They all remind us that 'it's not supposed to be this way', and that the consequences of sin really is death.
Bad Things Happen Because Satan Is Real
God usually takes the blame for all of the evil things that happen in the world because most people forget that God has an enemy, Satan. He shows up very early in the bible, but he is also easily missed, as his nature is described as "subtil" (Gen 3:1). He is found to be a perpetual skeptic, "ye hath God said" (Gen 3:1), and a liar, "ye shall not surely die" (Gen 3:4). As a result of his involvement in the rebellion of Adam and Eve (Gen 3:13) he was also "cursed" (Gen 3:14) and a prophecy was made of his eventual damnation (Gen 3:15). Although Satan was defeated by the cross of calvary (Col 2:15), he still roams the earth, deceives humanity, and influences the world to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). Much of the suffering in the world is a result of his influence, along with his fallen angels (Eph 6:12).
What Can We Do About It?
The answer to all of the problems introduced in Genesis chapter 3 were mentioned in verse 15, that one of Adam's seed would come and bruise the "head" of the serpent. That happened 2,000 years ago whenever Jesus Christ, "the son of Adam" (Luke 3:38) was come into the world. Jesus lived a perfect life that no sinful or fallen person could. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for the world, to cover man's sins, just as God did Adam and Eve's in the garden (Gen 3:21). He is called the "last Adam" (1 Cor 15:45) and the "Son of God" (Luke 1:35). Putting faith in who He is and what He has done for us removes the penalty of sin and reconciles us back to God so that, "being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Rom 5:10).
Learn more about what He did for us in our Gospel Course!
About Portland Gospel Church
Portland Gospel Church is an independent Baptist church serving Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Aloha, and the greater Portland area. We meet every Sunday for worship, Bible teaching, fellowship, and gospel outreach.
We welcome visitors from Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Aloha, Portland, and surrounding communities.
If you are looking for a church home in the Portland metro area, we would love to have you visit us this Sunday.
About the Author:
Thomas Harding is the pastor of Portland Gospel Church. With over a decade of ministry experience, pastor Thomas is able to bring biblical truths and real life experiences together to shed light on contemporary issues. Learn more about our pastor on our staff page.