The Big Question

Revelation 21:3-4 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

If God is good, why are there so many bad things happening in the world? This age old question has long been on the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike. Is it safe to say that moral evil is evidence that God does not exist, or that God is not good? 

Some people would say that because of evil, there is no God. Others are angry at God because He allows evil to exist. But before you go denying His existence or shaking your fist at God, whom you will one day stand before, consider the fact that moral evil is actually evidence for God. 

The fact that we have moral standards (unlike the animals) is actually evidence for, not against God. God created us to be free will agents. Imagine love without free will. If someone loved you because they had no other option, would that really be love? Free will, therefore, allows us to choose love, but it also allows us to choose evil. If you are going to be able to choose good, you have to be able to choose evil as well. The evil in this world is not a result of God’s lack of involvement or His lack of goodness. It’s a result of choices made by free will agents. 

Therefore, if God was going to do away with evil, He would have to do away with you and me. None of us are completely innocent. But God has a better plan. His plan is to REDEEM you and me. His plan is to turn evil into good. One day, there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever. 

Yes, bad things happen in the world, but God will not allow them to go on forever. He will one day put an end to all pain and suffering because God is good.