"And we know ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
In this video, both the father (a great theologian, by the way!) and the son are able to see the mercy and love of God in this little girl, who was born abnormally. I can see the good coming from this too!
The fact that the video was introduced by Joni Erikson Tada, who has been a quadrapeligic since she hit her head while swimming as a young teenager, also speaks volumes as to the purposes of God.
The fact is, all those presenting this life as perfect, are not going to truly win a single soul to Christ. Unless they lie, and guarantee some kind of healing. And the reason I say "lie" is because it not our choice as to whether God heals or not. Because everyone has some issues to deal with in life, whether physical, financial, relational, familial, etc, etc. People lie to themselves when they come to God expecting a perfect life. Instead, people need to hear the true gospel, that there is sin and suffering in this world, and Jesus Christ came to save us - and the perfection will be complete when we die, or when Jesus returns.
I saw Joni in the 1980's on her tour in Vancouver. She announced her engagement, which gave some of the single women some hope. Because if a quadrapeligic can get married, then so could they.
Her testimony and joy was amazing. I have read a few of her books, and she does amazing work with the handicapped, not only here, but in poor countries around the world. She collect wheel chairs, and other helpful devices for people who have no other way of getting them.
She also lobbies the government on the value of human life. Euthanasia is rearing its ugly head in Canada. And in countries in Europe that have opened up the door to "assisted dying" the slippery slope of killing people who do not need to be killed was reached in record time. And it has come to places in the US too!
How much better to care for the sick, the infirm, the aged and the disabled. I was never happier, than working as a chaplain in long term care. Partly because I could help people who were hurting. But mostly, because those people taught me so much more than could be imagined. How to live life totally for God, and to accept whatever caused them to have to go into long term care and totally love God anyway.
This whole health and wealth gospel really breaks down when compared to reality. Fact is, pretty much everyone gets sick sooner or later, and grow old, if they are lucky! We don't even have access to these old saints anymore. I was so privileged to talk with the ladies who were 97, 98, 99, and 100. Their inner strength, in spite of being bed ridden or wheelchair bound, was amazing. Their total trust in God inspired me to stand against people who demand perfection in this life instead of growing in character in God.
Grace777, you have said that Joni, RC Sproule and his son and granddaughter somehow malign the character of God. You are completely wrong, and you have never been able to explain away this passage, which acknowledges suffering in this world, and the incredible good that can come out of it.
"More than that, we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, for the love of God has been poured out through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5
This has been my life verses for many years, as I deal with the constant pain and suffering of severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Next week, we are going to be studying this passage in Greek. I look forward to going deeper into the theology of this passage, as well as passages in Romans 8.
This entire Word Faith movement comes out of an entitled North American church, who dares to claim that God does not allow suffering in this life. In no time in history, has the church believed that we are entitled not to suffer. Now true, some people get away with less suffering than others, but I leave that totally to God.
God is completely sovereign and really loving God means accepting good along with the bad. And no, God did not create the bad, but humans did in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve opened the door to evil, and perfect creation gradually went downhill, as the genetic load of mutations increased.
Here is what John says about the sovereignty of God.
"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns." Rev. 19:6
