#johnsgospel

John 9:1-12; Key Verse: 9:3

 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

This passage deals with classic theological question, is suffering or misfortune the punishment of someone’s sin? Why do bad things happen to good people? (good Christians?) I thought about my own approach to this.  Sometimes, when bad things happen or things do not go as I wish, I become afraid that I displeased God.  In that moment, I’m reminded of my sins and feel fearful and guilty.  Especially as a director of Edmonton UBF and a spiritual leader, I often feel guilty that I’m sinful and I’m not as holy as I should be.  I often think God might not be happy with how I live and lead His ministry and I feel so unworthy and like a failure.  The same goes for my work as well.  When I fail to get a promotion, when I feel stuck, I become afraid that God is not happy with me. 

As well, a lot of times, I find myself failing to live what I preach. That puts me in shame and Satan accuses me of being a hypocrite or a failure.  /But Jesus says, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Of course, God takes sin seriously and I must repent continually and leave life of sin.  But misfortunes or bad things are not the direct result or punishment from God against my sins.  Satan uses my guilt and fear to accuse me and makes me feel useless and unhappy.  But what God wants me to do is to not dwell in guilt but repent and do His work.  I thank Jesus so much for His mercy, power and unfailing love towards a sinner like me.  I seriously don’t deserve to serve Him as a director and a spiritual leader or a Bible teacher.  But He keeps putting up with me and sending me precious Bible students.   Having Bible studies and serving campus mission in Edmonton UBF at University of Alberta give me great joy.  It’s all thanks to Jesus: His forgiveness of my sins and promises of eternal life and calling as His disciple.  I pray that I may be more spiritually awake and alert to do the works of God: by teaching the Bible, and preaching His words.  I thank Jesus that despite my sins and shortcomings, He uses me and lets the works of God be revealed through my life.  Just like the blind man in the passage, I may boldly identify myself as the man who was cured and forgiven by Jesus on this U of A campus, and testify to Jesus’ works.  Although sometimes things do not go well, do not go as I wish, God is good and He is full of love, that never changes.  I pray that I may firmly hold onto Jesus, instead of dwelling in my own guilt and going back to life of sin.  May Jesus continually give me inspiration and strength to keep serving Him and bear fruit.  Amen!