Where Was God?

David Sproule

Tragedy strikes and the question often asked is, “Where was God?”  Atheists challenge Christians in a time of tragedy and say something like, “How could a loving God allow something like this to happen?”  So, in the wake of a mass shooting of innocent children, let’s consider this question.

The first thing to consider is that God has given free will to each person—i.e., God has given each person on this earth the freedom of choice in how he will live and the actions he will take.  If you think about it, isn’t that a sign of God’s love?  Rather than programming us against our will, He gives us freedom.  Of course, we don’t always like the choices that others make, because choices always have consequences.  But, there again, we see the nature of God in that He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), for He doesn’t decide who can have the freedom to choose and who cannot.  He gives free will to everyone.  Thus, the consequences of the actions of others often lead to our own pain and suffering.  That does not prove “there is no God” or “God isn’t a loving God.”  It proves that God has given freedom of choice to all.

The second thing to consider is that the existence of evil actually proves the existence of God.  In a moment of tragedy, some want to use that to prove that God really doesn’t exist.  But, if that were true, then how can we explain our evaluation of something being “evil”?   The only way to conclude that a mass shooting is evil is to have a standard of righteousness with which to compare it.  Where does that come from?  The answer is God!  If there is no God, then there is no sense of right or wrong, good or evil.  That embedded sense of right and wrong is evidence for the existence of God, and more than that—evidence for the existence of a loving God.

The third thing to consider is that death of an innocent child is not the worst thing that could happen to that child.  We think it is, because we have decided that death is the worst possible tragedy.  But, is it?  We are, as humans, dual-natured creators.  We are a spiritual being living inside a physical body.  When the physical body dies, the spirit leaves the body (Jas. 2:26) and returns “to God who gave it” (Ecc. 12:7).  Our immortal soul is infinitely more valuable than our physical body or physical life (Matt. 16:26).  When Paul considered death, he saw it as “gain,” for “to depart and be with Christ…is far better” (Phil. 1:21-23).  Have we considered that those precious little souls have been “taken away from evil” and have now entered “into peace” (Isa. 57:1-2)?

We grieve deeply for these families.  We long for their comfort.  But, let us not blame God!  Tragedy and death is not His fault!  Long ago, man chose to sin against God, and now evil exists in this world and brings horrible tragedy with it.  Let us pray.  Let us lean on God.  Let us help others to turn to Him.

According To His Mercy He Saved Us (Tit. 3:1-8) – Part 4

Wade Webster

In the first three installments of this study, we noticed the reminder, the revelation, the restriction, the remission/regeneration/renewal, the riches and the road of mercy.  This week we are considering the reward and the requirement of mercy.

The Reward of Mercy

“That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Tit. 3:7). God’s mercy doesn’t just save us, it makes us heirs of God. It gives us the hope of eternal life. Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:3-4). In Ephesians, Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:7, 11-14; cf. Acts 20:32).

The Requirement of Mercy

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (Tit. 3:8). Although we do nothing to merit God’s mercy or grace, there are things required of those who enjoy them. In the second chapter of Titus, in discussing grace, Paul wrote, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:11-14). Please note that grace teaches us to live a certain way - soberly, righteously, and godly. We have been redeemed by grace that we might be zealous of good wonks. In the third chapter, in discussing mercy, the emphasis is on being ready to every good work (Tit. 3:1) and on maintaining good works (Tit. 3:8, 14). Sadly, some act as if grace and mercy and love require nothing of the believer. This is not the case. We must do what is required by these things (Jude 21).

In the verses that make up our assigned text, Paul discusses eight wonderful attributes of mercy. May we prayerfully consider them and praise God for them.

According To His Mercy He Saved Us (Tit. 3:1-8) – Part 3

Wade Webster

In the first installment of this study, we noticed the reminder and the revelation of mercy. Last week, we noticed the restriction and the remission/regeneration/renewal of mercy.  This week we will focus on the riches and the road of mercy.

The Riches of Mercy

“Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Tit. 3:6). Notice the first half of the verse - which he poured out on us abundantly. God is not stingy with the things He gives. He pours them out abundantly upon us (Psa. 133:2). Physically, He gives us richly all things to enjoy. Paul wrote, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). Spiritually, the same holds true. He is rich in mercy, love, and grace. He gives liberally of these blessings from His storehouses. To the saints at Ephesus, Paul wrote, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-7). Earlier in Ephesians, Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). Repeatedly, the Bible uses the word abundant in connection with mercy. David declared, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You…But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psa. 86:5, 15; cf. 130:7). In like manner, Peter declared, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:3). The psalmist describes His mercy as reaching to the heavens (Psa. 36:5; 57:10; 108:4). It is hard to imagine this supply ever being exhausted, but we ave another guarantee. God restocks His shelves with mercy every morning. Jeremiah declared, “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23).

The Road of Mercy

“Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Tit. 3:6). Please note the second half of the verse - through Jesus Christ our Savior. We come to the Father through Jesus. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Just as Jesus is the one and only way for us to get to the Father. He is the one and only way for God’s blessings to get to us. He is Jacob’s ladder (John 1:51). He is the channel or road of mercy. Salvation comes through Him. We read, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9). There is salvation in or through no other. Peter declared, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Notice the two little prepositions - in and by (through).

According To His Mercy He Saved Us (Tit. 3:1-8) – Part 2

Wade Webster

Last week, we considered the reminder and the revelation of mercy. This week, we will cover two additional points.

The Restriction of Mercy

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done...” (Tit.3:5). Please note the first phrase of the verse.  We are not saved by works, but by God’s mercy. As you know, Paul said the same thing about grace (Eph. 2:8-9). Grace is unmerited favor. We don’t deserve it. We haven’t earned it. A very similar point is made concerning mercy in our text. Grace and mercy seem to be two sides of the same coin. Neither grace nor mercy can be earned. We don’t deserve to be saved or to escape judgment. When we have done all that is required of us, we are still unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10). We enjoy salvation simply because of God’s love and kindness and grace and mercy. It should be noted from Jesus’ statement that we must do what is required of us that we might receive that which we don’t deserve.

The Remission and Regeneration and Renewing of Mercy

“…but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Tit.3:5). Please note the last two phrases of the verse - but according to His mercy He saved us. Remember that mercy doesn’t give us what we deserve. We deserve punishment, but we receive pardon. Why? Because there is remission and regeneration. How? It is through the new birth or baptism. No doubt, you recall the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus (John 3:3-8). Surely, you can see the connections between our text - Titus 3:5 and John 3:3-5. We have connections to regeneration and renewing - “born again” (John 3:3). The word born suggests a beginning. The “again” implies a second time or a new time. We have connections to the Holy Ghost - “Spirit” (John 3:5). We have connections to washing - “water” (John 3:5). As you know, water is a key ingredient in washing. A passage from Paul’s pen to the saints at Ephesus may clarify this connection and others. Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). Notice the reference to washing - the washing of regeneration. Paul spoke of the washing of water by the word. Here, we have washing connected with water and the word. Paul knew something about this. He had experienced it. The word of God had come to him telling him what he must do to be saved. The must was baptism (Acts 9:6,18). It was by being baptized that his sins were washed away (Acts 22:16). This was the washing of water by the word. This was being born of water and of the Spirit. This was being born again. This was the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Water and Spirit in John 3 are parallel to water and the word in Ephesians 5. As you know, the word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The Spirit uses the word to pierce men’s hearts and to make them clean (Acts 2:1-4, 37-38; John 15:3). It is fitting that the New Testament speaks of being born of the Spirit and being born of the word (1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 1:22-23). Let’s now connect another part of our text to baptism or washing - renewing. To the saints at Rome, Paul declared, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Those who are baptized into Christ and His death arise to walk in newness of life. Old things are passed away and everything has become new (2 Cor. 5:17). Let’s connected one more part of our text to baptism. Please note that according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Having already connected washing and baptism and renewing and baptism, let’s connect the most important piece of all - salvation. We are saved by mercy. We are saved by baptism. Listen to Peter: “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Pet. 3:21). We are saved by mercy when we are baptized (washed, renewed).

According To His Mercy He Saved Us

(Tit. 3:1-8) – Part 1

Wade Webster

In the opening verses of the book of Titus, Paul gave his son the threefold greeting of grace, mercy, and peace. In the verses that follow, Paul elaborates on these three wonderful things - grace (Tit. 2:11-14), mercy (Tit. 3:1-8), and peace (Tit. 3:9-11). Our focus is the mercy of God.

The Reminder of Mercy

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Tit. 3:1-3). Paul told Titus to remind the brethren to be merciful. They were to be careful how they treated others. Later, in the context, he spoke of affirming or reminding them of God’s mercy constantly or confidently (Tit. 3:8). They were to be subject to rulers and to obey them (Rom. 13:1-7). Furthermore, they were not to speak evil of any man. They were not to be brawlers or looking for a fight. They were to be gentle and meek toward all men. They were to remember that they had been in need of mercy in the past. They had been at times foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Of course, they would also need mercy in the future. In order to receive mercy, they had to show it. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7). James wrote, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (Jas. 2:13). No doubt, you recall the Parable of the Unmerciful Judge (Matt. 18:23-35). The man who had been shown great mercy lost it when he refused to extend a modest amount of mercy to another.

The Revelation of Mercy

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared” (Tit. 3:4). Appeared is a word of revelation. You may remember that Paul used it of the grace of God in the second chapter of Titus. We read, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Tit. 2:11). Here, in our text, it is used of the kindness and the love of God. Later, in Hebrews, it will be used to refer to Jesus. We read, “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Heb. 9:24-28). We have three appearances of Christ mentioned here. He appears now in the presence of God for us. He appeared in the past to put away sin for us. He is appearing in the future to save us eternally. The kindness, love, and grace appeared when Jesus appeared the first time. They are manifest now as He appears in God’s presence for us. They will ultimately appear when He comes again to receive us to Himself.