Design

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Rev 21:4)

When God creates a new earth and a new heaven all the things which have made life difficult will be gone. Frank Friedman said in a sermon; "We are designed for the garden." But, for now our mortal bodies are still in this world. When we are sojourners in an environment we are not designed for we will either perish or reign. There is only One who can encounter tribulations unperturbed. And it is His power which enables us to reign in a hostile environment.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Col 1:9-11)

God's power builds character in us. A character which face everything this world has to offer with a supernatural joy. God is all in all, and He is the sustainer of everything. Why is He sustaining a world which evidently is evil? Isn't it because of His patience with the disobedient? Isn't it because He wants everyone to be saved? God is in control. We can by faith see His hand in everything. His eternal purposes are beyond us. When the scripture says He is love our only option is to believe this, and as we come to know Him we know He is love. And it is His love which carries us through this temporal world.

Paul answers why we still are in this world in Ephesians 3:8-12; Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

The last sentence clearly accentuates our union with Christ. In Him (that's Christ) and through faith in Him (that's me).

It is God's kindness which leads to repentance (Rom 2:4). With the comfort we receive we comfort others. His love which is expressed in our goodness in this chaotic realm will make an impression on people's lives. God is mighty to manifest Himself in even the bleakest circumstances as us. It is in His power that we move and exist.

Since we are designed for the garden life there is no wonder why people who inhabit an apparently unjust world will raise their hands in anger towards God, and blame Him for all their misery. We know better by the grace of God.