People in Wrexham North Wales are being invited to ask questions about Christian belief. This week’s question is “Why do good people suffer and the wicked prosper?” I remember visiting a good Christian gentleman in hospital. He was lying seriously ill after his operation had gone wrong. This man had loved and served God for many years and was highly respected for his kindness and integrity. As I sat at his bedside he opened his heart and said, “You see that man sitting opposite, as soon as he was admitted he began complaining about everything and contaminating the ward with a continuous flow of filthy language. A few days ago he had the same operation as me but his was a success and he’ll soon be going home. I know I shouldn’t say it, but it doesn’t seem fair.”

I shot up a quick prayer for guidance then said, “But you wouldn’t like to be in that man’s shoes on the day of judgement, would you?!” Immediately a broad smile crossed his face as he replied, “Definitely not!” The next day he also went home - to heaven! No-one can deny that we live in a world full of wickedness, disease and death. However being a Christian does not necessarily protect us from troubles. Jesus was not crucified for being evil but because some were envious of all the good things he had taught and done. Today about 300,000 Christians a year are killed, tortured or imprisoned for being good! Jesus gave the real reason for the world’s bias towards evil in these words, “This is the verdict. Light has come into the world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil. Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” [ John 3:19-20 ]

Guilty people love God as much as a crook loves a policeman!