¨If God is good, why does He allow evil?¨
Simple question but without being answered could turn one into an apostate. There will never be a perfect, well thought answer to this especially if someone asks you at a time you least expect but worry not. All one needs is a firm grip on God’s character as revealed in His Word, the openness to tell people about what God has done in your life and a willing spirit to be His mouthpiece (Proverbs 16:1, Exodus 4:12, Matthew 10:20). Conviction can happen at any time and what a glorious moment it is when God allows you to partake in leading someone to His kingdom.
The question is a profound one and asked during trying times but starts with a lofty assumption that God is not all good.
An imperative and introspective follow-up, if not, what we must first ask ourselves before dwelling on the one at the top should be “Does my righteousness exceed that of God´s?”
Another thing is, if someone tries to invalidate the need to be ethical/moral/righteous since the person claims there is no God, surely, that person will never truly fathom what hope is because hope stems from the faith that something good will happen and change an extreme circumstance for the better (I’m not talking about the surface expression of hope that we use in our sentences casually).
What is God like? He IS good – ALWAYS. Without God, there is no standard for good (Mark 10:18) and there is no true hope but only a semblance.
Speaking of living life without (regard for) God, it brings me to a silent epidemic plaguing Belgium with Euthanasia at will (video link – almost an hour long but interesting and eye-opening) for anyone who claims to have no desire to live anymore even though one is physically healthy. Though deemed a mercy death which “honors” the wish of the individual, in this particular scenario, it is a sad presentation of life devoid of hope.
With God, there is always hope.
Perhaps, what your are trying to say is that it is difficult to trust God given all that is allowed to go on on this hellish Earth. Perhaps human suffering is the price of God’s glory. (We note that even animals suffer.)
I was trying to convey that in people’s moment of weakness and sometimes arrogance, we fail to realize the insinuation of the question.
In the beginning, God created a perfect world (Genesis 1:31). Earth became hellish because we are free agents and because He gives us the choice- to live life with Him, or without Him. Some people choose to live without Him and with that choice comes consequences.
Ezekiel 18:23 shows us God’s mind in this regard – “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”
Sad to say that oftentimes, suffering becomes the only way to knock some humility in humanity. It awakens us to our limitations and it becomes evident that there is someone greater than us. Some people reject the idea that it is God but yet are open to the possibility of a higher power as long as it is not referred to as God.
I’m far from being an animal rights activist and I certainly don’t advocate cruelty to animals. Animals do suffer but they are soul-less. It does not state anywhere in Scripture that they were created in God’s image. They were created for a different purpose. I don’t know if you enjoy eating bacon, burgers, or fried chicken but I do.
“Perhaps human suffering is the price of God’s glory”
I don’t know which direction your statement is headed but Biblically speaking, suffering is caused by
1. Sin, rebellion against a holy God, judgment.
2. Disciplinary Actions to bring one back to God.
3. Tribulation refines a believer’s faith which ALL bad situation comes from the devil but God uses it to strengthen His children.
4. Satan’s attack, to get you to abandon God.
5. And lastly, a wrong choice made without consulting the Lord for wisdom.
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