Nothing saddens me more than to hear of people who having come to Christ decide to turn away from him. Recently I read about a man who is a world renowned expert on matters of theology, but decided he could no longer believe in God.
His primary point of contention was this: How can there be a loving God when the world is filled with suffering and evil?
He could not see an answer to this question and so gave up on the Christian faith. He now says he is an agnostic because he just “does not know” if there is such a God.
God did not promise no suffering
One of the things this man fails to have understood is that God did not promise a life free from suffering. He did not promise to stand in the affairs of man to make certain that there would be no evil.
In fact, we are told in many places that there will be suffering and that this who stand for God will suffer. Consider these words:
“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John chapter 16, verse 33)
And;
“Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy chapter 3, verse 12)
In the first verse above Jesus tells us that in the world there will be tribulations. There will be trials, troubles and sufferings because this world is evil. And even though we are not of this world when we live in Christ, we still live in this world, and will be affected by it.
Who is the ruler of this world?
Part of the challenge people have with this argument is that they presume this world is under the rule of God.
It is not.
Scripture tells us that the world, and more especially the people of the world, are under the rule of Satan. It is the devil who rules this world as we see here:
“And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” (Luke chapter 4, verses 5-6)
And;
“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians chapter 6, verse 12)
God is good
Now let’s consider this. We know from scripture that God is love and love is good. Therefore, God is good and would not want anyone to suffer.
But as we see above, God is not the ruler of this world. The world we live in is ruled by the evil spiritual heavenly hosts of darkness under the power of the devil.
And the devil is evil.
So, is it any wonder that the world is filled with pain and suffering? When such an evil ruler as the devil sits over the control of this world, can there be any hope for good or anything other than pain and suffering?
Yes, there can. But only for those who come to God through Jesus Christ seeking a better way.
What did God promise?
God promised us freedom from sin. He promised to give us victory over the passions of the flesh that lead people to sin. He promised His Holy Spirit to lead, teach, guide, protect and strengthen us. He promised to establish and strengthen us AFTER we go through suffering, temptation and persecution.
He didn’t promise to take away our suffering, but He did promise to give us the strength to endure.
And we must suffer. Jesus suffered. All the early disciples suffered. All the prophets suffered.
They suffered because they knew they were standing opposed to this world and the rulers of this world. They also knew that a better life awaited those who stood with God because he also promised eternal life to His people.
His promise of salvation in Jesus Christ outweighs and outstrips anything this world has to offer.
This is why we must keep our eyes set on Jesus rather than falling into the devilish traps that are false and lead us to wrong questions and wrong conclusions.
And as for God’s thoughts on these things, these were well summed up in the closing words of the book of Revelation.
“Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay everyone for what he has done.” (Revelation chapter 22, verses 11-12)
God is allowing everything to run as it is until His day of reckoning comes.
The world is evil because it is ruled by the devil, and it will continue to be difficult for anyone who stands against him. But salvation is in Christ, and it far exceeds the rewards of this life.
Since retiring from work, John Lemmon now spends his time teaching, preaching and writing about the word of God, online and offline, answering God's call on him to “Speak to my people.” You can connect with John on Twitter (@JohnBLemmon) or on his website: freegiftfromgod.com/ or listen to his podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-free-gift-from-god-podcast/id1440682375
