There has not been a more asked question of me as a gospel minister over the years than, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Answering that question must be done honestly but also circumspectly. It is not always asked from the same place or for the same reason, which is why the answer must be lawful but also expedient for the occasion. A book that deals with suffering perhaps more than any other is I Peter. Peter highlights where the root of suffering comes from (sin), the example to follow when suffering (Christ), and the different ways we can suffer (well-doing vs. evildoing). While the ultimate cause of suffering in this world is because of the presence of sin, our suffering is not necessarily because we have sinned ourselves. I Peter 4:15 highlights different root causes for suffering.
Various Evildoing: Whether the sin is something we consider “big” like murder or “little” like being a busybody, Peter exhorts that we should not suffer for those things. Simply put, if you don’t want that suffering, don’t commit those actions. Our sin will find us out (Numbers 32:23), and one of the promises of life is that we reap what we sow. Culture today likes to ignore consequences, and while it is true that we have “freedom” to do what we desire, there are consequences for those choices. Today’s mindset is “be your own person,” “live your own life,” and “I’m in charge,” and while we have the ability to do many of these things, the consequences for these decisions are inescapable in this existence. One of the best lessons that parents can teach children is the difference between ability and permission and consequences for actions.
Christian Walking: Peter also highlights that there is suffering in this world for walking and living like a Christian. When a pattern of life is fashioned according to the Master’s example, suffering will be the result. Why? Because He suffered likewise by living this way. A good portion of chapter 2 of this same epistle describes that suffering and how He handled it. If we suffer likewise, it is nothing to be ashamed of since we are in good company. Not only do we have the faithful footsteps of the Lord walking this way, but there are a multitude of others gone before that have walked likewise. When we mark the “footsteps of the flock” and how they lived and died before us, we can take courage and solace likewise that we are in the good way seeking and finding rest for our souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)
Inevitability: Since we will either suffer from doing wrong or doing right, it is inevitable in this world that we will suffer. While not a pleasant thought, it is manifestly true from day to day with every turning of the earth. Expectations should be tailored accordingly to not fall into the cultural mindset “why is all this happening to me?” Suffering will come. Without fail. Why we suffer is more important than that we suffer. There is plenty of Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad doctrine that is alive and well in the world today. They told Job that his sufferings obviously meant that he was guilty of some sin that while no one else knew about it, God did, and therefore, his condition was a result of that sin. Friends, results-driven perspectives will put us in a world of hurt more often than not. We equate pleasantness with goodness and suffering with evilness when we often don’t have sight and information to make absolute judgments based on outcomes.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Simply put, because of sin. However, two better questions are: “Why does anything good ever happen in this old sinful world?” and “Are these bad things happening because of my actions or for righteousness’ sake?” Thank God that because He has intervened in this corrupt world that things are as well with us as they are. Things could always be much worse, and while He has saved us from an eternity of ruin, He has also given extra grace for the present of today. Thank God that we have opportunity to not only have kinship with our Lord and Master, but we can feel a measure of that kinship through the “fellowship of His suffering.” (Philippians 3:10) All my life, I knew that I was my parents’ son, but when I became a father myself, I felt a kinship to my parents that I couldn’t understand as a child. When I was born again, the Holy Ghost took up residence with my spirit. However, when suffering for His name’s sake, I feel that kinship of gathering a glimpse of what He willingly stood and did for me when condescending to this low ground of sin and sorrow. May we go forward having no reason to be ashamed as evildoers, but every reason to rejoice that we are counted in that number who not only love His name but have the faith and courage to suffer for it.
In Hope,
Bro Philip