How much suffering there is in the world because of the irresponsibility of fathers and mothers! How many children suffer today because of some addiction of their parents who because of their own satisfaction abandon their families and their children! Sin is the main cause of sufferings, tragedies and illnesses on earth.
«“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.». (Matthew 5:43-45).
If only all people lived according to the commandments of love there would be much less pain and tragedies on Earth. There would be much less tears on Earth if people took care for each other instead of seeking their own benefits.
«He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil.» (1st John 3:8).
The devil inflicts pain, steals, murder and annihilate people, but God comes in Christ and manifests His power and mercy. In Christ God heals the sick, forgives sins, restores people lives, frees from curse and obsession by demons. A little later we will discuss the details about devil as a source of distress and sufferings people may have. Today I would like you to note that sins of other people also represent a source of pain and suffering.
«Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the fulfilment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.» (Romans 10:1-4).
Today may people are saying they love God and believe in Him, while staying ignorant to His righteousness and living according to their own righteousness. Therefore, they blame God for being unjust to them when facing problems and distress in their life.
If a person does not fulfil this duty, he won’t have enough light to see evil and hide from it. Besides, this verse tells us that such a person (he or she is called „simple”) goes ahead and is punished – not by God, but by his own ignorance. Ignorance separates a person from the life of God, because he knows nothing about God’s provision. «..having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart» (Ephesians, 4:18).
Because of ignorance human mind is darkened, heart is hardened and he himself is alienated from the life of God.
In order to live right and to make right decisions we need to obtain knowledge and understanding. When a person’s life is filled with knowledge it is like the sun shining in the darkness.
Ignorance gives birth to lust, and lust causes suffering.
«The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes» (Psalm, 19:7-8).
Besides the understanding of God’s provision in Christ, every person also needs knowledge of the strategies and plans of the devil. If we do not have this knowledge, then the devil can be successful in hurting us. «..lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices» (2 Corinthians, 2: 11).
The lack of vision, knowledge or useful information can become the source of destruction and tragedy. There is a saying that not knowing the law does not relief from the responsibility; not knowing God’s laws or moral blindness multiplies human sufferings on earth.
Every person must gain knowledge and understanding of God’s provision; we must know what God has done for us in Christ so that we can lessen human suffering. The lack of such knowledge can cause great pain. It is like a person starving because he does not know about state aid. The lack of knowledge of one’s rights and privileges can cause unnecessary problems.
«Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life» (Galatians, 6:7-8).
«For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live»(Romans, 8: 13)
When a person does not submit to God’s Word and despises His instructions, he or she sins. God has particular plan or will for every area of person’s life and it is spelled out in the Bible. But when you life according to your own wishes and do not pay attention to what God says about it, then tragedies are inevitable. For some time it may seem that you have outsmarted God, but this deceptive feeling won’t last long. These people sat in darkens and the shadow of death; they were bound in grief because they did not submit to God’s Word and despised His will.
«Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their souls abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death» (Psalm, 107:17-18).
