We have asked the question, “If God’s so good, why does evil exist?”
We acknowledge that these three Statements Appear Contradictory:
A. God is all good.
B. God is all powerful.
C. Evil exists.
In our first two devotional thoughts, we answered, “Is God all good?” with a resounding YES!
And, we answered the question, “Is God all powerful?” with an emphatic YES!
Of course, answering “YES” to both of those questions leaves us in a bit of a bind. If God is all-good,
it seems logical to believe that He would want to destroy evil.
If God is all-powerful, it seems logical to believe that He would be able to destroy all evil.
To understand why God doesn’t destroyed all evil we must understand…
C. Why does Evil exist?
In an attempt to answer this question, we have examined four profound realities. To me, these truths help us understand a little more how a good, loving all-powerful God could allow evil to exist:
1. God did not create evil, but He created the potential for evil.
2. Evil is a corruption of what is good.
3. God could eliminate SOME evil, but the problem would still remain.
4. God could destroy ALL evil, but that would include you and me.
So, now we turn to some positive aspects about God and evil.
5. God has provided a future without evil for those who choose Him now.
This is the whole message of the Church: that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to face the death sentence that we deserved for our own evil, so that we could experience a full and abundant life with Him now and forever in heaven.
2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV) “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
This is not some promise that evil will never touch us or hurt us in this world. It is a conviction that no matter what happens to us on this earth, our ultimate rescue into heaven is guaranteed.
6. God has provided peace and hope in the face of evil.
Next week, we will explore this aspect and discuss “How do we cope with evil and suffering.”
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