Often
when a great tragedy occurs people ask, “How can God exist when there is so
much evil in the world?” They point to God
and claim that if He was really up there, He would not let evil people hurt others and wickedness remain.
What can the Christian give in
answer to such blame?
Christians too, and theologians for centuries have wrestled with the "Problem of Evil" and the goodness of God. If God is loving and all-powerful why doesn't He stop man's wicked acts? But when we consider what the Lord says in His word, it isn't too difficult to come to a clear understanding.
There are three
main points I would like to make on this subject from the Biblical worldview:
1. If there is evil in
the world, God must exist—for without Him there is no standard. How does man define evil if there is no
God? Who else decides what is bad or
good?
“…there is none good but one, that is, God” Mark 10:18
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” Proverbs 1:7
“…I had not known sin, but by the law…” Romans 7:7
2. According to the
word of God, there is evil in creation because of man's sin. So it is man’s fault, not God's. Horrible massacres are the results of human
wickedness. Even fatal natural
catastrophes (such as tsunamis and tornadoes) are effects of the Curse from
Adam’s sin.
“…cursed is the
ground for thy sake…” Genesis 3:17
“…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Romans 5:12
“…the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain until
now.” Romans 8:22
3. Evil exists today because God is good. If He removed evil
immediately, every one of us would be consumed!
The Scriptures state that we are all evil—for we are all sinners. We
are liars, proud, selfish, covetous, disobedient, etc. We all deserve
damnation in everlasting hell. The very
fact that man still lives is testament to God’s goodness!
“There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” Ecclesiastes 7:20
“They are all gone out of the way, they are all together
become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good no, not one” Romans 3:12
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
Instead of destroying His creation
instantly, our Maker gives life, breath, and all things—the greatest gift of
all being the ONE WAY of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection
of His Son, Jesus Christ. God shows His goodness by giving man time to
repent, but the day will come for each person to stand before the Judge. This is the thrust of II Peter chapter three. “…The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance…” (II Peter 3:9). How shall we escape if we
neglect so great a salvation?
Rather than accuse God of
negligence or wrong, we must see ourselves for the vile rebels that we are,
repent of our sin, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved.
"Oh
that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful
works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:21)
Abortion must be abolished.
Abortion must be abolished.
