Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

We often question why tragedy befalls people we know. We really find ourselves wondering why bad things happen to good people, especially when they profess a love for Christ.

I believe the following is a perspective that is biblically sound.

God, in his infinite wisdom, knows what it takes to bring each of His own into a right kind of mindset. Often times when cancer strikes, an unexpected death, or other life changing events, we find ourselves remembering those things in life that are truly important. If you are honest with yourself, it will always involve people.

I spoke at the funeral of a dear friend, family member and pastor, William Kaber. I shared in the message a scripture which reads as follows:

“It is better to go to a house of mourning, than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2 (NIV)

This was a sobering truth that reminds us that life is short and precious. When we fail to see what is important on our own, God has a way of refocusing us to what is important.

Remember the four lepers of Samaria? The city was being starved to death under siege from Syria, and these four were stuck outside the gate between the city and the Syrian army.

They deliberated, If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die. (2 Kings 7:4)

The question wasn’t whether or not they'd die. That was the obvious that their leprosy helped them recognize. The issue, then, was simply when and where: Next week in the city? Tomorrow at the gate? Or today at the hands of our enemies?

They concluded that their enemies could do nothing more to them than what nature had already assigned. And, unlike their city and their skin, their enemies might even show them mercy. For them, the most frightful prospect was actually the wisest, most fruitful way to go.

In this case Leprosy made life a lot simpler. Being terminally ill, facing the death of a loved one, or other life changing events, often cultivates the clarity of mind that enables people to approach things that are good for them.

I believe that this is one reason why bad things happen to good people? Remember, all good things come from God. What we say is a bad thing, God sees as good.

A Superficial Gospel

Is it possible that modern popular Christianity is preaching a superficial Gospel in the 21st Century? If you look carefully at the history of the people of Israel many times the “popular” majority of priests and prophets turned from preaching the truth before the people and became profane in their speech and their own lives. In Jeremiah’s time, we see this recorded in the scriptures: “For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.”

What dismay to see almost all of the spiritual leaders of Israel speaking lies in the name of the Lord. Is this happening again? Is it possible that in our modern day evangelical circles there are many that are not preaching a true Biblical Gospel? True Christianity is never popular Christianity! True Christianity is accepted by few and rejected by many. True Christianity is abhorrence to the flesh, the devil and the world. True Christianity is a Cross! Death to self! Crucifixion to the world! What many are wanting to hear is an easy salvation and Gospel that does not hurt us or crucifies us. We want a Gospel that is catered to man and his interests.

Jeremiah wrote this when a entire nation was embracing a false gospel: “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their own means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” What shock should we experience if we realize that a false Gospel abounds and overflows in our evangelical Churches.

Could it be possible that just as in the days of Amos the prophet, today it is the same as was prophesied: “Behold, the days come with the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.”

Are people seeking out Churches were true biblical doctrine is preached? Are they seeking churches in which the conviction of the Spirit of God, the burden of lost sinners, the judgment of God is being preached? How rare it is to find such a Church where there is not just a feel-good message that warms the backslidden soul. How rare it is to find a church that is truly preparing the people for their reunion with Christ whether it is by the grave or when we are gathered together on the day of Christ’s return.