May 02, 2008 05:20 pm
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“God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist” (St. Augustine).
It is a question we have all asked, “Why does a loving, perfect God allow so much evil, causing so much suffering and pain?” Just a few minutes of television, and we can be overwhelmed by the evil state of the world and mankind. The evil things that human beings do to other human beings can be so horrible that we can hardly believe it. And whether we want to admit it or not, it is getting worse by the day. Why does God allow it?
This quote from Augustine helps answer at least some of the question. We can partially understand that evil exists to accentuate the good as darkness accentuates the light, sickness accentuates good health, sadness accentuates happiness. In other words, would we appreciate the blessing of goodness if were there no evil?
We ask, “Why couldn’t God simply change every heart to one of righteousness, kindness, humility and love? Why can’t He simply cause every human to follow the golden rule?”
Of course, God could. God can do anything. If we believe that truth, then we must accept the truth that evil exists for a reason. God allows evil to produce its horrible consequences for some divine purpose – a purpose that we may never comprehend this side of heaven. We would rather it did not exist, but it does.
In the book of Job, it is written that God allowed Satan to cause all manner of evil to befall Job. In Luke 22:31, Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” These events cause us to wonder if all of Satan’s evil deeds only happen if God allows them to. Scriptures lead us to understand that Satan was one of heaven’s most beautiful angels, named Lucifer. Because of his pride and desire to be like God, he was cast out of heaven. We find him first in the Garden of Eden tempting Eve, leading to the fall of man and the beginning of sin. Do we think it was any surprise to God that all this happened? Was Satan’s temptation in the garden a test to see if man would choose evil over righteousness? Now comes the free will part of God’s plan. He knew that Adam and Eve would choose good or evil in the garden. He allowed them to make the choice. They choose poorly, and we have paid the price.
Consider these words from C. S. Lewis, “Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” Though we may not realize it, we want the freedom to choose, and God knows that. Therefore, He gives us choices. God will not force us to love Him for He knows it would not be true love. He wants us to choose to love Him.
Every day we have the opportunity to choose good or evil. As followers of Christ, we have a great advantage. We have a Savior who has taken the burden of mankind’s poor choices upon Himself, offering us full pardon if we follow Him and believe His truths. We still have to make a choice, however. We have to choose to live for Him. It is not a difficult choice to make, when we consider the eternal benefits we derive from choosing Jesus: peace, joy, hope and the magnificent promise of eternal life in heaven.
Why do so many refuse to choose Jesus? Perhaps they do not realize all He offers. That fact presents another choice we must make. We who know Him must tell the ones who do not. It is our divine commission, but we must choose to do it. Evil exists – Satan spreads it at every opportunity. But he has no authority over those who belong to the Savior. We are susceptible to the results of evil in this world, but it cannot destroy us. Choose Jesus. Choose to spread His truths. In the end, Satan looses. Evil looses. In the end, righteousness wins. Those who choose Jesus win. Choose Jesus, and trust God that His divine plan is perfect – even at times when it may seem that it is not.
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) Amen.
Contact Dr. Sam Smith, Butterfly Ministries, at ssmithkate@aol.com.
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