Understanding God's Love Amidst Human Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: The Paradox of Suffering and Divine Love

The complexity of human suffering and evil challenges our understanding of a loving God. Yet, these questions are essential in exploring the depth of God's love and purpose for humanity. We must grapple with these issues to deepen our faith and understanding. The existence of suffering and evil in the world often leads to questioning the nature of God’s love. How can a loving God allow such pain and injustice? This paradox is not new, but it remains a profound challenge for believers and skeptics alike. Understanding this requires a deep exploration of the nature of God’s love, which is not always immediately apparent in the face of suffering. It is through wrestling with these questions that one can begin to appreciate the depth and complexity of divine love, which is not diminished by the presence of evil but rather calls us to a deeper faith and understanding. [01:27]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you questioned God's love due to suffering. How can you seek to understand His love more deeply in this context today?

Day 2: Created in God's Image, Targeted by Darkness

Despite the potential for evil, God created us in His image, starting with perfection. This divine image is what makes us valuable and the target of spiritual warfare. Our worth is inherent, and God fights for our souls against the forces of darkness. Being made in the image of God is a profound truth that speaks to the inherent value and dignity of every human being. However, this divine image also makes us targets in a spiritual battle. The forces of darkness seek to mar and destroy what God has created as good. Understanding this spiritual warfare is crucial for recognizing the value God places on us and the lengths He goes to protect and redeem us. Our worth is not based on our actions or achievements but on the fact that we are made in His image, and God is actively fighting for our souls. [24:21]

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see the image of God in yourself and others? How can you actively participate in the spiritual battle to protect this image today?

Day 3: The Ultimate Act of Love: God Becomes Human

God's decision to become human through Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of His love. Jesus' obedience, even unto death, shows that God's love is not based on our merit but on His choice to redeem us. This act calls us to respond with gratitude and transformation. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. By becoming human, God entered into our world, experiencing our pain and suffering firsthand. This act was not because humanity deserved it, but because of God’s profound love and desire to redeem us. Jesus’ obedience, even to the point of death, exemplifies the depth of this love. It calls us to respond with gratitude, allowing this love to transform our lives and align us more closely with God’s purposes. [39:52]

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of God becoming human through Jesus impact your understanding of His love? What is one way you can express gratitude for this love today?

Day 4: Unconditional Love and Redemption in Our Brokenness

Even in our brokenness, God chooses us and loves us unconditionally. He knows our darkest thoughts and failures, yet He calls us to Him, offering redemption and a return to our original design as His masterpiece. God’s love is not contingent on our perfection or worthiness. Even in our most broken state, He calls us to Himself, offering redemption and transformation. This unconditional love is a powerful force that seeks to restore us to our original design as His masterpiece. Despite knowing our darkest thoughts and failures, God’s love remains steadfast, inviting us into a relationship with Him that is based on grace and mercy. This love challenges us to see ourselves and others through the lens of God’s redemptive purposes. [46:59]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life where you need to accept God's unconditional love and redemption? How can you begin to embrace this love today?

Day 5: The Ongoing Spiritual Battle and Our Call to Discipleship

The spiritual battle for our souls is ongoing, but God's love is relentless. He will never give up on us, and we are called to fight alongside Him, bringing hope and light to a broken world. Our journey is a process of discipleship, becoming more like Christ and reflecting His image. The journey of faith is not a passive one; it involves active participation in the spiritual battle that surrounds us. God’s love is relentless, and He calls us to join Him in this fight, bringing hope and light to a world in need. This process of discipleship involves becoming more like Christ, reflecting His image in our actions and attitudes. It is a lifelong journey that requires commitment and perseverance, but it is also one filled with purpose and meaning as we align ourselves with God’s redemptive work in the world. [50:18]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively participate in the spiritual battle today? How can you commit to the process of discipleship in your daily life?

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Sermon Summary

In this series, "Humans, God Became One," we explore the profound and often perplexing questions about the nature of humanity and God's purpose in creating us. Over 30 years of ministry, I've encountered countless individuals grappling with the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the complexities of human suffering. These questions are not new, but they have evolved with time, reflecting the changing social and cultural landscapes. Today, we face issues like gender ideology and global conflicts that were not part of the discourse in 1984. Yet, the core question remains: Why did God create us, knowing the potential for suffering and evil?

The heart of this inquiry lies in understanding God's love and the human condition. We are made in God's image, yet we are capable of immense harm and suffering. This paradox challenges our understanding of a loving God. Why would God allow children to suffer from diseases, or families to be torn apart by addiction and divorce? Why does He permit the existence of evil, such as sex trafficking and war? These are valid questions that have troubled believers and skeptics alike.

The answer, as we delve into Genesis, is that God created us with a purpose, starting with perfection. Despite knowing the potential for evil, He chose to create us in His image, endowed with His glory and wisdom. This divine image is what makes us valuable, and it is why there is a spiritual battle for our souls. The enemy seeks to destroy this image, but God has a plan for redemption.

God's love is so profound that He became one of us through Jesus Christ. Despite our flaws and failures, He chose to enter our world, to suffer and die for us, demonstrating the ultimate act of love and obedience. This act of becoming human was not because we deserved it, but because God chose us and loves us unconditionally. Even in our brokenness, He calls us to Him, offering redemption and transformation.

Key Takeaways

1. The complexity of human suffering and evil challenges our understanding of a loving God. Yet, these questions are essential in exploring the depth of God's love and purpose for humanity. We must grapple with these issues to deepen our faith and understanding. [01:27]
2. Despite the potential for evil, God created us in His image, starting with perfection. This divine image is what makes us valuable and the target of spiritual warfare. Our worth is inherent, and God fights for our souls against the forces of darkness. [24:21]
3. God's decision to become human through Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of His love. Jesus' obedience, even unto death, shows that God's love is not based on our merit but on His choice to redeem us. This act calls us to respond with gratitude and transformation. [39:52]
4. Even in our brokenness, God chooses us and loves us unconditionally. He knows our darkest thoughts and failures, yet He calls us to Him, offering redemption and a return to our original design as His masterpiece. [46:59]
5. The spiritual battle for our souls is ongoing, but God's love is relentless. He will never give up on us, and we are called to fight alongside Him, bringing hope and light to a broken world. Our journey is a process of discipleship, becoming more like Christ and reflecting His image. [50:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - The Complexity of Human Suffering
[02:03] - Questioning God's Love
[05:25] - The Human Condition
[09:17] - The Argument Against God
[13:08] - God's Image and Human Potential
[17:35] - The Original Perfection
[24:21] - Spiritual Warfare for Souls
[31:08] - The Power of God's Image
[39:52] - Jesus: God Becomes Human
[46:59] - Unconditional Love and Redemption
[50:18] - The Process of Discipleship
[52:06] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

1) "And the question is, why would God make us? Why would he make us? It's a great argument especially if you talk to the atheist. The atheist who say, you want me to believe, Tony and a loving God, You tell me, God's a loving God? That was a conversation I had. You tell me, God's is a loving God? And I'm like, yeah, he's a loving God. God is love. And well, if God is love, then why does he let kids have cancer? Why would he do that? If he's so loving, why does he let non -Hodgkin lymphoma, why does he let all of the diseases that hit children? Why does a loving God let this happen to these kids?" [02:03] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Why would a God do this? Why would a God create a man and a woman and tell the man and a woman, I put you together in a garden. You're a man and a woman. Now go reproduce and multiply. If my reproduction and multiplying is going to crush a child, why doesn't he just leave us out? Why does he pick humans? Why doesn't he just leave us out? Why doesn't he just leave us out? When he says, I've made you in my image, and I go, well, I don't feel like you're an image, so I have to medicate myself and drug myself." [04:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Why would God put humans on planet Earth so we could have sex with children and make billions of dollars? And don't think you're holy and I'm holy. In Atlanta, we have one of the highest sex trafficking cities in the world. We are literally having sex with children for money. A guy just got arrested. He was arrested for having sex with a two -year -old. So what the hell, God? A human being is better than that. Why would you make us? That's the anger that comes out of people. And we stand up on a Sunday and go, He's so good. Praise Him in the valley and praise Him on the mountain. I'm like, what are you singing about?" [06:14] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Why doesn't He come down and just fix it? My better question is, why did you start it? Just leave us alone. Just don't even make us. Why would you make something that could cause such disasters? Why would you make something where more people serve? If you're a Christian. If more people serve the devil, then serve you. So why do you? You lost that battle. So let me get this right. You made a group. the people to love you, but your plan was so awful and you made the love your enemy more than they love you." [07:12] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Why would the greatest angelic cherubim that God ever created, that was the pinnacle of His creation, that was the supreme of His wisdom and glory, why would that being be attracted to a Neanderthal that can't make a spear? It's because we're thinking wrong. Why would this serpent want a human on his team? This is what I believe. When God made Adam and Eve, He did not make us a Neanderthal. We're going to dig this out. Next week, this is the thought that will make you think at lunch today. He did not make some naked Neanderthal. The first human being was His perfected image." [24:21] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And so from the Garden of Eden on, we've been fighting over the souls of humans. God is fighting for your soul as well as Lucifer. Many Hollywood movies are about the fight. We even read it all through the Bible. We read where demonic powers have wanted humans. Don't ever think you're not valuable. You're so valuable that the unseen world is having a war for you. Your marriage is so valuable that the unseen world is fighting to destroy it. Your genetic makeup of male and female is such the design of God that the world out there we cannot see is fighting over whether you can be male or female." [31:08] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "I will tell you for 100 % certain, there's a war for human beings. It's trying to destroy your soul. It's trying to destroy your children. It's trying to destroy your marriage. It's causing you to lose hope in God. It wants you to hate other humans. It wants you to despise God. It wants you to question, Why could a good God do this to you? It wants you to think everything you can think to despise the very Creator that's out there. And why? Because it wants you. Come to the New Testament and watch Jesus. Jesus Himself will bump into demons. And the demons so want a human that they literally have to beg. Please don't cast us out of this. And if you do, can we just go into pigs?" [31:58] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "Why doesn't God just get rid of all of us and start over with Adam 2 .0? Your iPhone does that. Your iPhone, by next year, you're going to need an iPhone 19. Everybody knows computers need updating. Why doesn't God just go, these sorry little people broke my heart? So what I, I think I'm going to do is kill them and start over. And instead of Adam and Eve, I'm going to have Steve and Becky. We're going to start all over. Like that's what you should do. But no, because humans are so incredible that God is going to become one." [35:18] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "Why would He pick me? I told my sweet bride, when you bury me, all I want on the tombstone is my name and He was a good man. That's all I want you to put. He was a good man. I never thought that I could have done what I did in 2010. I loved God too much to be that kind of man and I made a choice that destroyed my family, destroyed my life, destroyed my integrity, destroyed my character and I was like, how could God love me? Like, I understand He loved me before because I read my Bible, I prayed, I was a preacher, but surely you can't love me now. Why would you love me? Why would you pick me?" [45:06] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "I let a man and a woman hook up to get you here so you could know how much I love you. I chose you when nobody else would and I know all your junk. I know that you'll reject me, but I pick you anyway. I know that you'll snub your nose. I know that your love for me will grow weak, but you're my masterpiece. I'm not giving up on you humans. Oh, I know right now it looks really bad in our world. And it's easy to give up on humans, but God will never give up on us. He's fighting for us to the end. And we're called to fight with Him. We're called to take the hope of His glory to other people." [49:31] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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