PA floods not God's rage

SHEILA DOWNEY

AFTER any natural disaster, you often hear people saying that it is the result of God's anger or His judgement or that God is cleansing the community of sin.

My understanding from reading the Bible in the context of the finished work of Jesus on the cross, is that the full wrath of God was poured out and was totally exhausted on the body of Jesus. It also says that He will never be angry with us again.

Okay, so Christians may say that God is judging the unbelievers? In John 3:16 it says that God so loved the world (every human being, believer or not) that He gave His only Son so that whoever may believe would have eternal life.

Only a schizophrenic, insecure God would pay such a high price for freedom, then still punish people with disaster and sickness, and afterwards expect them to beg Him to fix the situation.

If God did cause the recent flood in Port Alfred to teach people a lesson or because He was angry with us as a community for sin, then as believers we should not be involved in helping those affected by this disaster.

In the same way if God gives sickness to somehow teach us lessons and build character then we have no right to pray for healing or to even see a doctor as this would be going against God's will.

Some will say that they have learned lessons through their suffering, and yes, this may well be the case but God does not cause suffering. God uses all things for the good of those who love Him and He has a wonderful ability to turn every disastrous situation into something good.

Jesus is the exact representation of the Father and Jesus said that He only did what He saw the Father do. When the storm rose up on the lake and His disciples freaked out, Jesus commanded it to be still and it was. If God caused the storm why would Jesus go against His Father?

If you have been affected by the flood or by illness you may think it is because of something you have done, that God is angry with you and it is His way of dealing with you and your sin.

However, the Bible says it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. God does not use fear and manipulation to control people but rather love. When you realise His great love for you and the good thoughts He has towards you, it will cause you to change your mind (repent) and you will automatically begin to act differently.

The Bible says that the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy but that God has come to give us life in abundance, overflowing. Be encouraged! God is not judging you through the loss that you may have experienced; He is not teaching you some lesson through tragedy. He loves you and wants to make His goodness evident in your life.

He loves you regardless of your performance or what you think about Him. Dare to believe that He is ALWAYS good and allow Him to love you into freedom, restoration and abundance.

If anyone wants to discuss this, please call me on 076-486-1090.

Sheila Downey is a member of Gracelands Church in Port Alfred.