FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Proclamation:

"His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:2-3 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John to record the conversation which occurred just prior to Jesus giving sight to a man who was blind from birth.  Jesus explained the situation to His disciples by saying that some times things happen to people so that God can use the situation in order to show others what He can do and so He can be glorified.

Application:

Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  We don't understand it and we often ask why it happened.  Let us not be so quick to complain about our situation, whether our bad choices led us to it or if it was the result of something over which we had no control.  We should act in a Christ-like manner regardless of the situation.  God is still in control.  Whatever it is, it can still serve a purpose.  Our negative situations can be used by God for His glory, for our benefit, or for the benefit of others.  Remember the Bible story about Job.  He was a God-fearing good man who was wealthy and lost everything that he had when God let the devil test him. (Job 1:1-22)  In the end, Job was blessed with twice as much as he had. (Job 42:10 and 12)  As Christians "... we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)  So let us live for the glory of God, no matter what happens.