I don’t think I know one person who has never asked, “Why God?” Why God, is there such misery in the world? If you are really a loving God how could you allow all these bad things to happen? And God, why don’t you do something about it? Why God?
Is God Really in Control?
If there is crime, poverty, and starvation happening all around us, and God is in control, why doesn’t He do anything about it?
My pastor from several years ago (he and his wife minister in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East now), proposes this question in one of his messages:
“Look outside of your walls. If this is as good as God can do, would you really give your life to Him?”
John Grunewald
So you have to know the context of this statement. It’s related to the title of this post. Here is what you need to know about God. This is a very high view, so I encourage you to get into the word (the Bible) to learn more. You can also go to John’s teaching on this at Grunewald Ministries (lesson #5 on Authority).
Jesus is Seated Next to the Father in Heaven
Ephesians 1:19b-20 NIV
…according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
So if Jesus is the head of the church, we must be the body. The hands, the feet, and every imaginable part that makes the body function. When all parts are functioning you can accomplish anything. You can have a great impact.
We Are The Body of Christ
Think of how your body works. If one part of it isn’t working right then it makes it difficult to accomplish tasks. Yes, you still have a brain and know what to do, but if your body isn’t functioning right then you are not able to do what your head is saying or thinking.
Same with the body of Christ. Yes, certain parts can be dysfunctional causing the church to have little impact. Or we think for some reason that Jesus, seated in Heaven next to the Father, should be waving a magic wand over the world. Simply put, we are not acting like a body being directed by the head.
John 15:26 NIV
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
This verse tells us that when Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, He will send us the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. He, the Spirit, will testify (reflect Christ in our words and our actions) through us.
Acts 1:8 AMP
But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Freedom! Okay, so we can do a message on this word alone. But isn’t this what people seek? I do! This is to encourage us that wherever we are, the Spirit is (because the Spirit dwells in us), and where the Spirit is there is freedom. When the world, people around you in your world, see this they are seeing God’s love in action. “Oh, God does care!”
Wrap Up
So in asking the question of why isn’t God doing anything about this crazy broken world, what is the answer? I believe He is, but He has designed it to be done through me and you. We are the body, the Church. He is the head of the Church (the body), guiding, directing, and empowering us to bring freedom to a lost dying world.
So my answer? The Church is God’s love, in word and deed. If people are asking this question, sounds like we (the Church) need to step it up a little. Okay, maybe a lot! Contemplate this song by Casting Crowns:
Challenge of the Week
Now we know God does love the world, That He does want to do something about all the brokenness. And He wants to do it through you. So what is it that you will do this week, in word and deed, to impact a lost and hurting family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, employee, or fellow church member – the broken world around you? Christ will bring freedom through you. So be it!
