How should we see accidents and tragedies in life? They are
happening everywhere without warning. The people flee from home because of wars
and genocides. Tornadoes and storms wreak homes and towns. Flood and drought
damage the land. Uncountable transportation accidents kill both the young and
the old. Is it just unluckily and randomly occurring? Why can’t we get over it?
Regardless of the efforts and wishes put to prevent accidents, it is unavoidably
happening daily. Our Lord Jesus answers how we read human tragedies and accidents
in life.
“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus
about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus
answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the
other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you
repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in
Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others
living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all
perish.’” (Luke 13:1-5)
It happened in the first century as well. The horrible incidents
was told to Jesus that Pilate had mixed some Galileans’ blood with their
sacrifices and eighteen people died when the tower in Siloam fell on them. People
thought that those who were killed were worse sinners and more guilty than
others. But Jesus says that they were not but unless they repented they too would
perish. Apostle Paul says that there is no one who is not under pressure or
tribulation. It is common to mankind.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to
mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you
can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you
can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
As a matter of fact, we should go back to the creation to
find out why humanity lies under such a circumstance where temptations and
troubles are inevitable. It is designed and prescribed by God for the
restoration and healing from the fatal fall which they think they have what it
takes. Sin is to rebel against God who can only tell right or wrong and to act
like him, telling right or wrong on their own. As sin reigns humanity so is all
mankind under darkness. It is the pronouncement for the death of humanity just
as God said to Adam (Genesis 2:17).
That’s not the end of story. The good news is that God began
the restoration process for the fallen race through trials and sufferings in
life on earth. This is the prescription for the recovery of the lost race
prescribed none other than the Maker and Designer of mankind Himself.
To Adam he
said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about
which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is
the ground because of you;
through
painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days
of your life.
It will
produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will
eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat
of your brow
you will eat
your food
until you
return to the ground,
since from
it you were taken;
for dust you
are
and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)
Is there any man who is without exception? At times we feel
like others are doing just fine without any troubles. But it’s not true. Just ask
a few questions to the person whom you may think that he is trouble free. The most
deadly enemy of humanity is proud mind and self-complacency. Man is not made
so. Man cannot live without having relationship with God. The world says they
can live without God. That’s a lie from the devil, a liar and the father of
lies. If anyone a believer or non-believer violates the Law of God he has to
face the consequence. Apostle Paul expounds the divine consequence revealed
from heaven whenever man does not follow the rule of Law.
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all
the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their
wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has
made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible
qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being
understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans
1:18-20)
The wrath of God is not something like damnation and brimstone
falling upon them. It is rather to lift up the divine constraining force so
that the evil hidden underneath might be manifested above the surface. So,
people may see what it is realistically. Almost all the lawbreakers say that
they could not think that they did commit such heinous crimes. There are blind
spots which they themselves cannot see. So, the wrath of God is not out of resentment
but out of love. He desires to show what it is in truth and reality, keeping
from illusion and delusion. This is the way of God’s loving kindness and long
suffering for man to repent and have eternal life.
But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out
my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (Romans 10:21)
If anyone admits that he is out of line in relation to God
and confesses his sins, God is faithful and just and forgives and cleanses from
all evils.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
The tragedies and accidents are the wake up calls for the
rest to see what it is coming and thus to repent in order not to perish. We are
not here on earth to live and die. There are much deeper and higher meaning and
purpose in life on this earth which flies like an arrow. One of the most important
truth to learn is to know that there is a God who is willing to embrace anyone
just as they are and forgive if they wanted to receive the outpouring loving
kindness of the heavenly Father.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John
3:16)
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in
his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he
said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been
coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!
Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for
one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next
year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9)
In this little parable, our Lord Jesus tells about the long
suffering and patience of the Father upon humanity. God is loving and
compassionate and merciful and kind. He made man to bear fruit, the fruits of
the Spirit, love, peace, and joy.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
God made man such a way that he is supposed to be
blossoming, exuberating, overflowing, fulfilling life in full and more
abundantly. However, a dreadful thing happened to man that he fell into a snare
that he could be fulfilling life all by himself without God. Thus, no fruits
are found for number of years as Jesus says in the Upper Room Discourse, “Remain
in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John
15:4)
The owner in the parable told the man who took care of the
vineyard to cut it down because it only used up the soil. Then the man replied to
leave it alone for one more year, and he would dig around it and fertilize it. If
it bears next year fine! If not, then cut it down. The owner is the Father and
the man who takes care of the vineyard is Jesus. This shows how compassionate
and merciful our God is. Even if the time is up our Lord Jesus is willing to
offer one more chance. Not only that, our Lord will dig around and fertilize it
to bear fruits. Our God is wanting to save all people and reluctant to punish
them.
“The Lord is
compassionate and gracious,
slow to
anger, abounding in love.
He will not
always accuse,
nor will he
harbor his anger forever;
he does not
treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us
according to our iniquities.
For as high
as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is
his love for those who fear him;
as far as
the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm
103:8-12)
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all
people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 1:3-4)
But there is time limit which is obviously the lifespan. Each
one has been given the time to repent or perish. “Just as people are destined
to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to
take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin,
but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)
Prayer: Merciful and gracious Father, thank you for your loving
kindness and compassion and long suffering for sinners like us that you gave the
only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life. In Christ’s name. Amen.
September 20, 2015
© 2015 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.
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