In previous blogs, I have mentioned the magnitude of my negativity prior to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Every time something bad happened, I would not only dwell on it, but I would blame God. I felt like He had a hand in everything that went wrong. I would ask, “Why does God do that?” Now, God is absolutely in control. Nothing is outside of His view. “‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” Jeremiah 32:17. But not all things are His will or desire.
God gave us free will to choose. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” Deuteronomy 30:19.
He could have made us little robots that chant, “We love God.” But that wasn’t His desire. His desire was that we would choose Him. That we would want a personal and intimate relationship with Him. That we would love Him. “We love because he first loved us.” James 4:19.
But we don’t always do that. Sometimes, we choose other things instead.
And, when we choose those other things, it is sin. We desire fame, success, material things, physical relationships, and even addictive things and behaviors. Each of those things come with their own set of consequences. And when we begin to suffer the consequences of our sin, we ask, “Why does God do that?”
When our desires for success, fame, and material things result in broken relationships, that isn’t a punishment of God. That is the result of us chasing after temporary, earthly things and not living the life God desired for us. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:26. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:9.
When our lusts result in an empty life, lived solely for the flesh, that is a consequence of our sin. And we are fortunate if that is the only consequence. Because lust typically leads to reckless behavior… and a multitude of other consequences. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28.
And, when our addictions result in poverty and brokenness, those too are the consequences of our sin. “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11.
When we desire sin more than we desire God, there comes a point at which He will not prevent us from having it. “So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” Psalm 81:12. And then we will suffer the consequences. When that happens, please don’t ask, “Why does God do that?” Instead, ask, “Why do I do that?”
So, please don’t confuse consequences with punishment. Consequences are not God’s punishment. Because the punishment for sin is eternal death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Consequences of sin are brought on by us and our poor decisions, NOT God.
And God desired that none would perish, but that all would come to know Him and have ever lasting life. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
There is good news, though. If we repent, God will forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
And going forward, there is no temptation that we cannot resist or that God won’t provide a way out of. “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.
Because of Jesus and His sacrifice through shed blood, we have an opportunity to be forgiven. We can be called the sons and daughters of God and spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Now, that is worthy of the question, “Why Did God Do That?” He certainly didn’t do it because we are worthy. He did it because of His great love for us. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” 1 John 4:10.
Therefore, brothers and sisters resist the temptations of the enemy. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.
Father God, we praise You that You gave us free will to choose You. We praise You that your desire for us was an intimate and loving relationship with You. Father, forgive us when we choose the sins of the flesh over You. Holy Spirit, help us to resist. Help us to grasp the gravity of our sin and the magnitude of Jesus’s sacrifice. We praise You, Jesus, for Your love, sacrifice, and redemption. We love You and pray these things in Your precious and Holy name, Jesus. Amen.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). On this page, you will find a prayer outlined. Please pray this prayer. Through it, you will find forgiveness, redemption, and a greater love than you can even comprehend. Once you have prayed this prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
