A Mass Shooting: An Absent God?

In the aftermath of another mass shooting on US soil, it is natural to begin to ask questions like "Why does God allow bad things to happen? If God is real why did He not stop this? What about the victims and families, if He is such a loving God, why does He not care about them?"

God has put it on my heart to share a message for those who may be disillusioned with this news, and indeed to anyone of the grieving family members or anyone affected I hope this strengthens your faith and turns you toward God and not away from Him.

Many places in the world we see tragedy, pain and suffering. And so even if you are not affected by what is happening the US, I believe you can be edified by this message. It is not the method of suffering that matters as much, as the fact that there is suffering at all.

Why did God let this happen? 

To understand this question we have to understand exactly what God did for us at the time of creation:

Genesis 1:28 New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God said we are in charge. And just as we say that with "rights come responsibility", we have the responsibility over the earth and over ourselves. It was a blessing from God that we were to rule over this earth, and take care of it for Him. If God was to intervene in every situation, then is that truly giving us dominion? Rather would that not be God controlling and constricting? This then would not only not be granting us dominion over the earth, but restricting free will upon it.

Do not confuse this with saying that God is not sovereign in all things, He certainly is, but let it serve as the bedrock for our understanding.

Upon this foundation, that God is sovereign yet gave us dominion, we next need to understand that man serves God. God is so all powerful that even those who do not know God are under His authority. The Most High rules in the kingdom of men and heaven rules earth (Daniel 4:25-26).

God rules us. We serve God.

God is not an intergalactic saving force to prevent every calamity befalling us. That would infer that God works for us.

Therefore to the question why does God allow bad things to happen:

The answer is because He is true to His word, and has utmost integrity. He is sovereign, yet He blessed us with dominion over the earth, He gave us free will. If God was not so good, and had such high integrity, He would've taken dominion back long ago (I personally think this is a good thing, because looking around the world.....).

As humans, instead of pridefully highlighting our accomplishments, let us in all humility accept that apart from God we really make a mess of things. And even when we make a complete mess of it, He has not taken back the kingdom of earth from us, nor elevated another being to rule over us.

That is how good the God that we serve, is to us.

Apart from God, we truly see the expression of the evil things done by humanity, for if we all truly knew Jesus, than this type of violence, mass in-discriminant killings and conflicts all over the world would not take place.

It pains God to see suffering too, He does not like it. Rather, than question God I more lament what happens to us as humans, when we are so far away from Him.

I should add. That if you are in Christ, God is a protector. You are His children, and just as a loving Father would protect His family. So too does God. Do not live in fear. For it is written:

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 New King James Version (NKJV)
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O[a] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have the victory over death, thanks to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ!

But what of the victims? What if they were in Christ? God still allowed them to die

Well. The reason we have victory over death, is again thanks to Jesus we cannot die:

John 11:25-26 New King James Version (NKJV)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Amen! I most certainly believe and receive this in Jesus' might name.

And of course most famously:

John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


Yes we mourn the passing of our loved ones, but here too the Bible gives us guidance:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

They are in heaven, with Jesus. A most wonderful place to be, where they will endure no more pain and suffering. Though the effects of their passing from this earth will certainly be felt amongst families, communities and loves ones, we should remember they have been called home to heaven.
For that is where our citizenship truly lies (Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 11:13-16). You will be reunited with them and see them again.

But what about the victims who don't believe in Jesus?

The only way to the Father, is through Jesus (John 14:6), the only way to everlasting life is through Jesus (John 3:16), to the nations and people who do not know God then we know that they do not go to heaven (too may verses can be quoted here but see: Psalms 9:17, Matthew 25:31-46). Furthermore, heaven is not assured for those who know the name Jesus, but those who know Him and are known by Him (Matthew 7:21-23).

To be clear, if you are not in Christ and He in you, if you do not know Jesus you cannot enter heaven, and instead go to hell.

I do not say this to scare anyone into knowing Christ. I say this as a call of urgency.

That if you know anyone who is not in Christ, or if indeed you are not in Christ, let incidents like this remind you: we are not in control. 

We cannot number our days, nor can we predict our tomorrow.

Salvation

A trip to the store, was a final goodbye for some people. That is a sombre thought.

Salvation is far more important than any job interview, career, education, relationship, anything that you are planning your days around or hoping to for.

Salvation is not for tomorrow, next week, the next moment. No salvation is for now.

If your heart is willing, if you are able, if you feel like your Sunday relationship with God never took root in your heart.

Please pray the following:

Romans 10:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Personalise this any way you wish. God is a merciful God, and its far more about your heart than it is a legalistic expression or format. But I understand you may be anxious to get it right. So here is some

Help:

"I confess Jesus is Lord.
Jesus come into my heart
I make you my personal Lord and saviour
I believe that God raised you from the dead
In the name of Jesus I have prayed. Amen"

When we offer our prayers for the victims and families, pray that they come to know Jesus too. Let it not stop at condolences and prayers for strengthening, salvation is the greatest gift and strength they will ever come to know.

Conclusion

I choose not to glorify the crime. Rather to glorify our God, that He has removed the sting of death to those who love and know Him. I pray that this has been helpful and strengthened your faith by changing your perspective.

We have been given the hope of heaven, and the passing away of this earth, will birth a new one free from pain and suffering.

Death has lost its sting, for the gift of salvation and eternal life is for all who are in Christ. Is this not truly wonderful?

Be encouraged, be strong and remain in faith.


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