Is There a Connection between Sin and Suffering?

welcome to Refinery Life Church.

The Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

In every congregation there is at least one person with a broken heart.

One function of the Pastor, the Shepherd is to help bind up the broken hearted.

The theme for our Tuesday evenings this month is “Is There Any Good News For Those Who Suffer?”

Today’s message is titled Is There a Connection between Sin and Suffering?

When disaster struck the house of Job, his friends came at greta trouble and inconvenience to comfort and counsel him.

Job’s friends held to the traditional thoughts of their day, which in many respects are still the thoughts of our day.

They believed that God always rewards righteousness.

They believed that God always punishes wickedness.

They perceived that righteousness always pays off with peace, prosperity, popularity, plenty, and permanence.

Job’s friends saw God as a judge.

They understood Him somewhat in terms of His being a prosecuting attorney or a policeman.

They believed God to be an executioner.

They believed that God’s law was self operating and self executing, and that if you found yourself in great pain and suffering, it was proof that you were a great sinner.

The writer of the book of Job challenges all of our simple solutions to the complex questions that plague us when we are faced with pain and trouble.

The easy answer is usually the incorrect answer.

While recognising that sin ultimately results in suffering, when you study the book of Job, you cannot help but conclude that not all suffering is the direct result of sin.

Job is an excellent example of this truth.

Until next time

Stay in the Blessings

2023 IS A YEAR OF DIVINE RESTORATION AND RECOVERY