Bad Things, Good People

Introduction:

Re-introduce “What does the Bible say about…?” series

Today we are going to look at very common question asked by Christians and non-Christians alike, “why do bad things happen to good people?” and what does the Bible say about it?

Prayer

Context/Overview:

The question, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people” or “why do bad things happen to good people?” is a a tricky question to answer - mostly because it is built on a false assumption… a common misconception, but a misconception nonetheless. Once we understand the false assumption or the misconception… the answer to the question is simple:

Bad things don’t happen to good people.

So… that’s the punchline of today’s message. That’s where I plan for us to end up. And I hope that you feel both a...

personal confidence in this truth

but also an ability to communicate it to someone else who poses the same question

Let’s start with, “good people” - what does that even mean?

What does the Bible say about “good people?”

First of all… the way Christians talk has made this confusion… expound

“they’re not a Christian, but they’re a good person

Good is relative… to God

Southeastern FIFA lesson (illustration)

If you trace back the lineage of goodness far enough… you’ll find that God created it - and therefore defines it

We see this in Genesis 1 - God made everything and called it “good”

Consider the following verses:

Psalm 100:5 “5 For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.”

for all time and to all people

James 1:17 “17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

From one source

So… when we ask ourselves, what is a good person...

Good means doing only good

Psalm 37:27 “27 Turn away from evil, do what is good, and settle permanently.”

Good means never doing bad

expound on Psalm 37:27

So, now begs the question… are there good people?

Are you good compared to God?

Have you only done good ever?

Have you never done bad ever?

What does the Bible say…?

Romans 3:10–18 CSB

10 as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. 13 Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. 14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, 17 and the path of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

So our question already breaks down… because there are no good people!

But let’s still look at the “bad things” part of the equation

What does the Bible say about “bad things?”

Bad things are just for bad people

expound

Psalm 103:10 “10 He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.”

expound

Bad things are a reminder of what we’ve been saved from

expound

Bad things are used for personal refining

expound

James 1:2-4 “2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

muscle growth illustration

Bad things are used by God to draw people to Himself

expound

Romans 8:28 “28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

infant shot illustration

Closing Thoughts

Gospel