Living in this Sin-Filled World

When times of trouble overcome a follower of Christ often a question of God’s compassion arises out of the trouble or tribulation that oppresses us as a result of living in this sin-filled world. It is not uncommon for faithful followers of Jesus to question God's concern over the conditions that discomfort His people.

What should motivate Christians to trust in God’s unrelenting love? The power to overcome doubt in times of difficulty is to understand God’s love not just for His creation, but for the special relationship He establishes with His people.

The Apostle Peter, seeking to comfort the followers of Jesus who had been driven from their homes to lands unknown as the result of the persecution of the evil Emperor Nero said:

 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Pe 3:12)

Peter makes the observation that there was a difference between the followers of Jesus and the rest of His creation that inhabits this world. Peter said they were “righteous.” What happened to these people that made them righteous?

God’s word reveals that when we follow the gospel of Jesus Christ, His righteousness is imputed to all who believe in the work of the Saviour. The Scripture states:

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." (Rom 3:21-22)

As a follower of Jesus, you are separated from the rest of God’s creation by the righteousness of Jesus being placed upon you! You are not just blessed by God as a part of His creation. You are in His favor as His child and have a special relationship that is forged by Jesus' work.

You've Got Connections!

A special relationship is yours with God because of your connection with His Son. The Scripture states:

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29)

You possess the same relationship with God as Jesus does as the “Son of Man.” Your faith in God’s Son, Jesus, numbers you “among many brethren” that the work of the Saviour produced. In fact, God’s view of your importance to Him is established over and over in God’s word.

Whenever you begin to doubt God’s compassion and love for you when you face  “heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Pe 1:6), talk to your Heavenly Father and the truth in God’s word will affirm God’s love:

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

When we are assured that God’s love extends beyond our position as a part of His creation to His child we will find God’s comfort has always been available to us. God’s word gives us one more promise about our special relationship. Because of the Saviour we not only hold the privileges of being His child in this world but we have God’s favor for all eternity. The Scripture comforts us with these promises:

 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Rom 8:16-17)