Why do good people suffer, and why does God allow pain and suffering in the world?
We’ve heard or asked the question ourselves numerous times. Things aren’t always hunky-dory; but do we shake our fists at our Creator and demand an explanation? Luke 13:5 details Jesus Christ’s rather unorthodox answer to our angry question “...unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
In this life, pain and death are not only present but always to be expected. Your first hard knock in life will typically never be your last. But if we haven’t repented like the prodigal son, i.e., turned away from our sinfulness and to our Father, all we’ll have is a bitter ending, never a new beginning.
In verses 6-9 of the same chapter, Christ gives another parable in response to the crowd’s question on the correlation between death and sin. Our relationship with God is likened to that of a man and his fig tree that would not bear fruit for years. The keeper’s intervention and asking for more fertilization and time symbolizes Christ’s interceding on our behalf, highlighting God’s grace and patience toward the undeserving. And then eventually the barren tree’s fate is sealed based on its fruit or lack thereof.
Repentance can only be proven by our actions, our fruit. Not fruit that we strive to produce with our own strength, but those that come naturally as a result of the renewing and transforming of our minds and hearts. Christ is the one nurturing our roots; He is the vine. All we have to do is let that connection to Him remain.
Death and pain have been a part of life ever since sin entered the world on that fateful day in the Garden. Whether we end up martyrs or tyrants, we’re all born to die. Sometimes, our Sovereign God does and allows horrible things to happen to some of His most sheltered ones [think Job, Joseph, and even Jesus].
However, trusting Christ’s gift of eternal life falls within the realm of our choice and transforms us into warriors. We have the choice to repent of our sinful ways and not perish but have everlasting life, regardless of what we go through in this world.
Pray that we aren’t like the plants growing in rocky places or soil overrun by thorns and thistles receiving Christ and believing Him only when things are good but losing that faith as soon as times get tough. We need a repentant heart that consistently chooses God, turns to Him, and loves Him. Just as He first chose and loved us.