Jul28 Written by:Nathan Williams
Monday, July 28, 2008
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind. His disciples ask Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:2-3)
It's a shame, but people still think on this level. If bad things happen to someone, many assume it's because of sin in their lives. I think this is a pagan belief. If things go wrong, if I have "bad luck," if I suffer some sickness or hardship, then the gods must be angry with me. Many Christians, whether they think about it on a rational level or not, hold this belief when it comes to our own sicknesses and troubles. Here is a test:
1. Who is more blessed: the man who is in good health with his own thriving company OR the man who just lost his job and has some health problems?
2. Who is more godly: the woman who is confined to her bed for the rest of her life because of some medical challenge OR the woman who is always visiting in people's homes and throwing parties?
You and I probably understand that a person's station in life does not show how blessed or how godly he is. Sickness does not mean there is sin. Wealth and health do not automatically indicate true blessing. But somewhere in the backs of many of our minds we do make judgments based on these superficial signs. We need to think very carefully how we judge others. In fact, we need to be very careful NOT to judge others based on these things! It is not our place to examine an individual's station in life and decide if he or she is fit in the faith. We have no idea. Only God can tell a person's faith, and only God knows the reasons for a person's sickness, job loss, riches, birthmark, etc.
Jesus points out there was absolutely NO SIN involved in this man's blindness. His parents did not sin. He did not sin. He was just blind. The only purpose to his blindness was so that the works of God might be displayed in him - which Jesus was about to accomplish. Can we just leave it at that?
God bless,
Nathan
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