Why God Permits Evil

Justifiably, the question arises as to why God

has permitted man to suffer for thousands of

years, and then, only when Christ returns and

establishes his Kingdom is all changed? The

question of suffering and evil has always been

an enigma to man. Philosophers of all times

and ages have pondered the question to no

avail. But the Scriptures provide a logical answer

to this question which leaves one in awe.

Webster defines evil as “that which produces

unhappiness; anything which either directly or

remotely causes suffering of any kind.”

God desires mankind to live in peace, harmony

and happiness. He knows this will only

happen as each practices the principles of

righteousness and love. Otherwise evil will result

with its consequences of suffering and unhappiness.

Here we are faced with what can be referred

to as the “dilemma of God”—the planetary

systems move in mechanical obedience; the

animal creation is driven mainly by instinct;

but God desired the human race to have a free

will and to “worship him in spirit and in

truth” (John 4:24). God could have programmed

the ideal man and utopia would have

been inevitable, but man would be no better

than a robot, nor would he be happy. Further,

it is impossible to worship only “in truth,” to

obey truth and righteousness for what you can

get out of it without having the “spirit” or appreciation

of righteousness.

Out of sheer appreciation of the principles

of righteousness—worshiping in spirit—God

desired man to live in harmony with both his

Creator and fellow man. God knows it is only

as man is fully motivated by the principles of

righteousness, that he can really attain happiness

for himself and be in that attitude of

cheerful concern for the happiness of his fellows.

The problems of free has a built-in dilemma.

Man can rebel against his Creator. The Lord

was willing to bestow free will, fully cognizant

that it would cost Him dearly before man

became fully responsible to this freedom.

What an awesome power! Man can stand in

stiff-necked rebellion against his Creator. He

can refuse to submit to God’s authority. He

can refuse to accept God’s favor. He can

choose to avert the mercy of God and adamantly

stand upon his decision against God.

For by free will, man is man, created in the

image of God, and neither an animal nor a

machine.

Put yourself in God’s place to appreciate

this dilemma. A parent will tell his baby not

to touch the stove because it is hot. But, what

does a baby know about being burned? The

anxious parent knows the inevitability of the

baby touching the stove before learning the

consequence of heat. A wise parent will create

a controlled experience with heat-lightly

and quickly touching the child’s hand where

the heat is not too severe. And all through life

parents will admonish their children, knowing

that they will only learn certain lessons the

“hard way”—by experience.