Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Mon, 27 Jan 2025 02:22:17 -0500 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/why-does-a-good-god-allow-us-to-suffer-so-much.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/why-does-a-good-god-allow-us-to-suffer-so-much.html John Stange https://www.christianity.com/author/john-stange/ Over the course of any given week, you don’t have to look far to find examples of suffering. At present, I’m friends with people who are experiencing suffering in areas of physical health, mental health, relationships, and finances. When I read or watch the news, I encounter stories of natural disasters, wars, acts of terrorism, and other forms of difficulty on a national and global scale. While there is much that is beautiful on this planet, we’re also surrounded by suffering and we never really know when a particularly difficult season of suffering may emerge in our own lives.When I was just emerging as an adult, this was a concept I really struggled with. To be more specific, I guess I should say that I didn’t necessarily struggle with why suffering existed in this world in a general way, but I often struggled with the concept of suffering in my own life. I wondered why God would allow me to suffer when I was doing my best to trust Him, follow Him, and obey Him. I now have a better understanding of why that is the case and I’ll elaborate on that shortly.That being said, many people in this world would probably admit that they wrestle with the presence or concept of suffering. It can be hard for them to consider God “good” when they’re wrestling with the fact that He’s clearly allowing people to suffer in all kinds of ways.So what is the answer to this question? If God is good, why is there so much suffering in this world?Photo Credit: Pexels/Joanne Adela Low Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/god-is-better-than-you-think-11675505.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/god-is-better-than-you-think-11675505.html The emotional pain we feel as a result of our troubles is often magnified by a colossal misunderstanding of God. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/does-it-matter-what-i-believe-about-god.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/does-it-matter-what-i-believe-about-god.html Justin Holcomb https://www.christianity.com/author/justin-holcomb/ God is a person, not just a system of ideas. But that is exactly why we should want to learn all there is to know about him and what he has told us. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/are-natural-disasters-sign-of-gods-judgment.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/are-natural-disasters-sign-of-gods-judgment.html Michael Horton https://www.christianity.com/author/michael-horton/ There's a place in John's gospel where Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders who talk about a man who was born blind, and they ask Jesus, trying to trap him in a theological question, "Who sinned? This man or his parents that he was born blind?"And Jesus said, "Neither." He was born blind for this moment to show the glory of God. In other words, as difficult as it is to swallow, there's something bigger than you and your personal happiness, and that is God and his purposes displaying his mercy. He was born blind up to this point for God's purposes, because he wanted to glorify himself through this sign of my Messianic mission and ministry. And so it's not because of his own personal sin.That was a radical view in that day, and it's sometimes a radical view today because when tragedy strikes, there are a lot of religious leaders who will say, well, nothing comes from nothing. If something bad happened to this people or if something bad happened to this person, it must be because they sinned or somebody close to them sinned. Not that it's just a part of the fallen world in which we live. And that's dangerous because we have absolutely no reason to believe from scripture that anybody is prosperous because they've been good or anyone suffers because they've been bad. The whole story of Job throws that into disarray, so there is no biblical basis for the message you sometimes get pouring salt into the wounds of tragedy that God did this to this particular nation or to this particular person because of some personal judgment. When Jesus returns for the last judgment, people are going to be, we're told in scripture, people are going to be eating and drinking and dancing and playing and marrying and giving in marriage.In other words, they're going to be at the mall. It's going to be, no one is going to be expecting this judgment. They're going to be living happy lives. There is absolutely no reason to believe Christians are going to live prosperous lives, and non-Christians are going to live difficult lives of material impoverishment and disease and so forth. We have no biblical text to indicate that God sends particular diseases upon particular people for particular sins. And the good news, again, is that Christ has assumed on himself the burden of all of our sins, so that even though we do suffer in life, we know that ultimately all things are working together for our salvation.For more information about Michael Horton, visit: www.whitehorseinn.orgFor more answers to questions about Christianity, visit: www.christianity.com Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-does-genesis-6-explain-the-mysterious-sons-of-god.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-does-genesis-6-explain-the-mysterious-sons-of-god.html James Spencer https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/ Genesis 6:1-4 sparks age-old debates about the mysterious "sons of God," "daughters of men," and the Nephilim. But beyond identity theories, this passage reveals profound insights into humanity’s rebellion against divine boundaries. Dive in to explore how respecting God’s distinctions brings clarity and order to our lives. Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/knowing-the-will-of-god-for-our-lives.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/knowing-the-will-of-god-for-our-lives.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ Are you searching for God's will in your life but feeling lost in the details? Instead of focusing on specific career paths or life decisions, this article reveals how God’s ultimate plan centers on knowing Him, living for His glory, and embracing a journey of trust and discipleship. Learn practical steps to align your heart with His purpose and find peace in walking with Him daily. Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:20:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/whats-the-one-thing-god-wants-you-to-think-about-right-now.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/whats-the-one-thing-god-wants-you-to-think-about-right-now.html Cynthia Garrett https://www.christianity.com/author/cynthia-garrett/ In a world filled with distractions and endless noise, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. This article dives into the one thing every Christian should focus on above all else: loving God and others with a heart centered on eternity. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:45:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/how-to-have-a-relationship-with-god.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/how-to-have-a-relationship-with-god.html Rachel Rector https://www.christianity.com/author/rachel-rector/ A relationship is a way in which two people are connected.  For any relationship to grow and thrive, there are certain elements that must be present for the relationship to continue to blossom.  The same is true for your relationship with God. There are 5 key factors that are essential for your relationship with God. 5 Essential Keys to Building a Relationship with GodThe First Key Is Quality Time together.  The Bible does not specify a certain method or duration of time that you must spend time with God. Jesus states in Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  If taken literally and out of context, one can think they have to go in a closet every time they want to spend time with Jesus.  This is not what God was referring to in this scripture.  Instead, He was teaching the importance of having a personal relationship with God instead of turning it into a public display like the Pharisees were doing during scriptural time.  They wanted human approval and praise instead of an intimate relationship with God.Jesus shouts in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they will be with me.”  Think about your closest friend or most intimate human relationship. The more time you spend together, the more you get to know each other.  That is the same with God.  The more time you spend with God, the more you know Him and what He has for you. God longs for you to spend time with him just like you would in a human-to-human relationship.  You have to spend time together to get to know each other better.  God knows everything about you, but your time together should be focused on you getting to know Him, his character, his faithfulness, and everything He wants to teach you about Him and how and why He created you. Through getting to know Him, you will learn more about yourself and the world He created as well.Quality time with Him can take on many forms.  Before we go into those forms, I want to give a full disclaimer that God doesn’t want you to focus on doing all the right things and checking off all the boxes. Instead, He wants quality time with you where He has your undivided attention. One key component of time together should be diving into the word of God.  Hebrews 4:12 declares, “The word of God is living and active.”  This word took on human form through Jesus when He walked this earth (John 1:14). By opening up the word of God, you get a glimpse inside God’s heart and mind.  You get to see His character from the beginning of creation to the present, and you will get to experience the fullness of His faithfulness from the start of time to the very moment you open up the Bible. One very clear way God guides you and enriches your relationship with Him is through learning, reading, and unpacking the bible together.Photo Credit:  Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:40:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/how-does-creation-point-us-to-god.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/how-does-creation-point-us-to-god.html Dr. Kenneth Boa and Cameron McAllister https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-kenneth-boa/ Can beauty be a bridge to faith? From breathtaking landscapes to the power of art, beauty has a unique way of connecting hearts to God’s truth. Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:35:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/unlocking-the-secret-to-feeling-gods-presence.html https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/unlocking-the-secret-to-feeling-gods-presence.html Dr. Paul Cannings https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-paul-cannings/ Are you searching for a deeper connection with God? Discover how experiencing His presence isn’t about searching harder but about surrendering more. Learn the powerful truth of losing yourself in Christ to truly find the peace, purpose, and joy He has for you. Tue, 03 Dec 2024 10:45:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:22:17-05:00