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The great obstacle to belief in God is the problem of evil and suffering… multitudes in every generation falsely assume that there cannot be a loving God with so much bad/evil in our world.
It is reasonable, understanding the common limitations of man, that we will not completely understand everything about the problem of suffering…
Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
God has revealed to us what we need to know…
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
What we cannot know this side of eternity can be understood by knowing God always does what is right and just (see Genesis 18:25).
The Problem Addressed and Points to Consider
Whenever a person raises the question of “evil,” they inadvertently appeal to some universal system of justice, which evil allegedly violates.
Note: If there is no God, there is no universal system of “rightness”; therefore, there’s no such thing as evil?
- God, who is love (1 John 4:8), expresses His love by giving us the freedom to choose…
Joshua 24:15 “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
John 7:17 “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.”
Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
- Where freedom of choice is permitted, there is certainly the possibility that man will make the wrong choices.
- It is clear, therefore, that finite beings with personal willpower must be allowed to suffer the consequences of their wrong choices if they are to learn that the good is to be valued over evil.
In light of this, let us consider the three primary causes of suffering in the world…
- Personal wrong choices:
We frequently bring suffering upon ourselves because of the bad decisions we make.
Judges 6:1 “Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years.”
1 Peter 4:15-16 “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
- Personal wrong choices of others:
A considerable amount of suffering is caused by the bad choices of our fellows.
- We cannot argue for our freedom of choice while denying it for everyone else… and God is not a respecter of persons! [does not show favoritism or partiality.]
Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.’”
Romans 2:8-11 “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
Note: Innocent persons may be killed in a wreck involving a drunk driver, and, in times of war, many are killed as a consequence of the evil decisions of a few leaders.
- Personal wrong choices of former generations:
If we are to reap the benefits of the good labors of generations in the past (e.g. scientific discoveries or medical advancements), can we avoid reaping their evils as well?
Note: God warned that rejection of Him would affect future generations yet unborn…
Exodus 20:5-6 “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Summary:
God and The Problem of Evil and Suffering
- The Bible teaches that God did not create evil.
- The world was created perfectly good (Genesis 1:31).
- Personal moral rebellion introduces pain, suffering, and evil into the world.
- Since mankind’s ‘fall’ from grace, there has existed a spiritual war (God v. Satan) for the heart of all people.
- Even though God did not create evil, nor does He will it, He nevertheless uses it to accomplish His purposes.
- God can use pain and suffering to draw people to Himself (in their brokenness).
- Many have fought the battle against evil, thus producing courage, endurance, self-sacrifice, and acts of compassion.
- If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He remove evil from the world? The answer…
- God has intervened in this issue of our suffering world. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came and experienced the full measure of our pain… knowing injustice, abuse, hunger and thirst, as well as the worst form of cruelty and evil.
- On the cross of Calvary, Jesus took on Himself the wickedness of all humanity… paying the debt of our sin.
- In time, all evil perpetrated by sinful mankind will be done away with, and the full restoration of His people with their Creator will arrive with a “new heaven and new earth” where righteousness will be the experience of all.
2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
For more information on Bible prophecy, go to PerspectiveInProphecy.com
The post The Problem of Evil and Suffering :: By James Pannafino appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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