TEXT:

‘ Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer sowing good seed in his field; but one night as he slept, his enemy came and sowed thistles among the wheat”’ (Matthew 13:24-25 TLB)

THOUGHT:

I remember seeing a cartoon of the devil sat outside a church saying, “It’s not fair, I do all the nasty work but God gets all the credit!” When witnessing, people often mention about God being the author of the bad experiences in their life. I usually reply, “If you do not give God the glory for the good things in your life, why should He take all the blame when things go wrong?”

1. Bad Things Happen To Everyone

It is almost impossible for anyone to go through life and not be affected by the bad, whether directly or indirectly. The blessing that can be found in the midst of tests, trials and tragedies is that God is able to work all things together for good.¹ People have found through suffering and tragedy they have come to faith in God, or have experienced other benefits and blessings.

The Bible has many of examples of this, the classic being the life of Joseph when he said to his brothers, ‘Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people’ (Genesis 50:20 MSG).

2. The Intention of Satan is very clear

The Bible says, ‘The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy’. Contrast that with what Jesus offers, ‘I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly’ (John 10:10).

Satan wants to bind people with fear, possess, deceive and destroy them. The Bible says, ‘For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth—there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars’ (John 8:44 TLB).

Contrast that to what Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’ (John 14:6).

God is good and can only act in a way that is best for all mankind.² So stop blaming God and ask yourself this question, “Is what has happened or is happening now, how a good God would act?” If He is not the author of your trouble, then someone else is!

3. Good And Evil Must Exist Together

The Biblical account of creation makes it very clear that God did not want Adam and Eve to know and experience evil, only good. Everything God created was good and He summed up His work at the end as ‘Very good!’ (Genesis 1:31). A good God created what was very good for Adam and Eve whom He loved.

The parable of our text is about a farmer who planted good seed in his field, but his enemy sowed tares among the wheat during the night. At first glance it was impossible to tell the difference when they started to grow, but as time went on it was clear to see the wheat producing ears of grain but the tares producing nothing of value.

Once the tares were discovered, the workers wanted to pull them up in order to maximise the harvest, but the owner prevented them. Pulling them up could damage the wheat, so both were allowed to continue growing until harvest.

How often I have been asked this question, “If God is a God of love, why does He not put an end to all the sin and suffering?” Read the end of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, and you will see that God will put an end to it. The harvest of the earth will be safely gathered in, evil and Satan will be put away, Christ’s millennial reign will start and once again the earth will be filled with the glory and the goodness of God. After that comes the new heaven and earth, an unbelievable world that has no more tears, death, sorrow, crying or pain.³

Martyred souls asking for justice cry out, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ (Revelation 6:10). A little while longer, came the reply. Delay does not mean a powerless, indifferent or deviating God. When it is time to act, God will act with devastating consequences for the devil and all those who mock, doubt His existence and refuse to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Keep Telling God’s Side Of The Story

Too many Christians are embarrassed to talk about God especially when disaster strikes. Because they do not understand why it happened and where was God in all of it, they think it is better to keep quiet and leave people blaming God.

Matthew Chapter 24 is Jesus’ prophecy about the end-time scene: wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes. Does that sound familiar today?

If Jesus is returning soon, and so many believe He is, then let’s get the message out loud and clear that, ‘He is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe’ (1 Timothy 4:10).

Living in Western Europe with all its affluence and apathy, it is hard to imagine places in the world where the majority, not the minority attend church and where conversions and miracles happen on a daily basis. But God has not finished with Europe yet and an end-time harvest must surely take place before Jesus returns.

Finally, for Christians reading this teaching the challenge is simple. Do not hide your light. Shine brightly for Jesus because you are the light of the world!

For those not yet a Christian, do not believe the lies of the devil. You will stand before God one day to give an account for your life and your response to His Son, Jesus. Why reject His offer of sins forgiven and eternal life? Do not believe the lie one minute longer. Stop blaming God. Instead, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved’ (Acts 16:30).

Endnotes:

¹ Romans 8:28             ² James 1:13, 17          ³ Revelation 21:4