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Why doesn't God do something?

Writer's picture: Brian DoyleBrian Doyle

It's a question we hear. A Lot. Whether from non-believers, or frustrated brothers and sisters in Christ, why doesn't God do something about (insert problem here). I don't have an easy answer; as a matter of fact, none of the answers in the Bible are usually adequate to answer this to most people's liking (did you hear that part....read it again). Usually when we ask that question, we're looking for a specific answer to be given, or a specific problem to be solved, but do we really understand what we're asking? C. S. Lewis had some great insight in to this: “God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realise what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on to the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else - something it never entered your head to conceive - comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left? For this time it will God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing; it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realised it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last for ever. We must take it or leave it.” In other words, our finite understanding of things can not see the eternal purpose of God behind everything. We view reality by what we see with our own eyes. Job was not given an answer when he cried out to God, merely"Were you there when I put all the stars in their place, or created this, or did that." Job was humbled, even after so great a loss, when given just a glimpse of almighty God's power and purpose, and it was enough for Him. Still, God has not been idle. He sent prophets, leaders, warriors, and kings (the Old Testament speaks to God's plan and purpose), all pointing to the time when God would come and reconcile His creation to Himself. That reconciliation was found in the person of Christ Jesus. He is God's plan, the bring of the Kingdom, and we are His ambassadors. We are here to spread the good news of the Kingdom: that sin separates us from God and brings death, but God sent His son to die for our sins, and His resurrection nullified death once and for all. We can't control what others do, how they receive the message, or what they do with their actions. Christians are dying every day, loving their enemies and praying for those who persecute them, as Jesus said to do. We can, however, spread love, and pray, like Stephen, that they may be forgiven (and who knows, may be a Paul may appear in that crowd, and meet Jesus personally!). Fix your eyes on Christ, walk by faith, and not by sight; what we see in the flesh is a glimpse in comparison to the heavenly reality. The Question should not be "Why doesn't God do anything?" The true and honest question we should ask ourselves is "Lord, what may I do for Your Kingdom today?"

2 Corinthians 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Heavenly Dwelling

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Footnotes:

a. 2 Corinthians 5:3 Some manuscripts putting it off

b. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature

c. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling


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