Why did all the death, pain and suffering come to this world?

It came from the sin of Adam. What was his sin? Let us find out.

God gave Adam two trees:

1. Tree of Life (the unconditional love of God and grace to live forever on earth without any suffering)
2. Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

As we know, Adam chose to eat from the 2nd tree and bring death, suffering – the curse of the world.

What was this tree of knowledge of good and evil? What is the thing that tells us what is good and evil – it is the Law!

It is the Law that tells people what is sin.

Romans 3 “²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

Romans 7 “⁷ What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

Paul says that the Law showed him what is good and evil and he could not do good but did evil!

Romans 7 ” ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.“

God had freely given eternal life (grace) in the garden but Adam chose the law!

So then Adam’s sin was to choose Law instead of Grace.

The tree of knowledge of good and evil was the precursor of the Ten commandments and 603 commandments of the Law that was given to Israel many years later.

Adam’s sin was to trust in the law – by his own morality, strength and ability instead of the grace and power of God. His sin was self-reliance. The result is suffering and death.

The curse of Adam was magnified far more when the Law was given to Israel.

Galatians 3 “¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Those who trust in the Law are committing the same sin of Adam.

It is the sin of self-reliance on their own morality and/or ability/strength/wisdom instead of relying on the grace of God.

When we trust in our own performance, then we are putting ourselves under the curse.

The end result is suffering and the curse of death and separation from God forever.

This is why Jesus Christ came and horribly suffered and died on the cross to redeem us from the curse and bless us by His resurrection! He was cursed by dying on the cross so that He can bless all who trust Him by GRACE through faith.

Galatians 3 “¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” ¹⁴ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

If we trust in Christ and not in our efforts, then we will be BLESSED with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ when we trust in Him and do not rely on ourselves.

Ephesians 1 “³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace “

Why do we still suffer in this world as believers?

It is because our faith is being refined:

James 1 “² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.^“

Faith means that we trust in Christ and not in ourselves. His power manifests when we have nothing to offer in our efforts.

2nd Corinthians 12 ” ⁸ Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. “

It is because we can comfort others who suffer. It is also because we are learning to trust in Him and not in ourselves: by getting rid of our Adamic mindset of self-reliance and be transformed into the mind of Christ who relies on God alone

2nd Corinthians 1 “³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. ⁶ But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. ⁷ Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort. ⁸ For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life. ⁹ Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us.

God has given us the promise of blessings (sometimes on earth) but eventually in heaven:

2nd Corinthians 1 “¹⁸ But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes and no,” but in him is “Yes.” ²⁰ For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, ²² who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.”

Finally there will be no curse, pain or death in heaven for those who trust in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21 “³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 22 “³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.“