Why Do Bad Things Happen?

The outrage that is swirling around our nation since the Casey Anthony "not guilty" verdict was handed down is a logical reaction, especially if you think she was definitely guilty of killing her daughter Caylee. On the other hand, if you are of the mindset that such outrage is not necessary because you believe that Casey was either "not guilty" or that the prosecution did not prove its case; then you aren't angry with the jury decision.

It truly is very sad, horrible, tragic, and upsetting to see someone get away with murder. But that's what evil does.

Jesus told us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world."

While reading several blog and Face book comments, I have found that many Christians believe that little Caylee is in heaven with Jesus. It is a comfort to know that the Bible does tell us that there is an age of accountability (usually considered as age 7 up to age 12) where a child is automatically admitted into heaven upon death because such a child has not reached the age where he/she would be held accountable for his/her sins - precisely because a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has not been made.

There is no doubt that evil exists in this world. One of the worst kinds of evil is harming a child. Killing a child is unfathomable to most people - especially those who are loving mothers and fathers to their own children. Jesus had harsh words for those who would commit offenses against children:

Mat 18:6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mar 9:42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Luk 17:2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

But the promises of our Messiah - Jesus Christ - fulfilled what Micah wrote of in the Old Testament:

Mic 7:19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our [fn] sins Into the depths of the sea.

There is forgiveness. It is the gift of God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is the ONLY WAY that ANYONE can be forgiven for their sins.

The evil that exists in this world is because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. From Adam and Eve's original sin - to the sins of today - we all "fade as a leaf" because of our iniquities.

"The greatest evil is the rejection of God and the hate towards man." - Pastor Miles McPherson.

When did Pastor Miles say that quote? In the first of his series on The Rock San Diego: "Why Do Bad Things Happen - Part 1, Why Evil?"

I highly recommend watching and listening to each of the sermons in this series. It may help to put many things in perspective.

The next sermon in the series is The Rock San Diego: "Why Do Bad Things Happen - Part 2, Why Worship?"

~Christine

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