Why Does God allow Evil and Suffering to Continue?
In Mark, "Jesus has ALL authority over ALL thing at ALL times."
Question: So why is there so much evil and suffering????
Last week = "why evil and suffering exist" - (origin)
Because of: (1) free will
(2) Sin
(3) Satan and demons - created with free will
Note: God did NOT create evil and suffering. He created beings with a capacity for evil (to be able to choose evil) ie: He created the possibility of evil. Evil affected creation as well as people.
Scripture claims - (1) God has ALL authority (over evil and suffering)
and (2) He will, in the end, compensate us for pain and suffering
and (3) He will (eventually) eradicate all pain and suffering.
BUT ... Why NOT NOW???
Why does He ALLOW evil and suffering to continue?
On one hand we don't have all the answers.
However, we do have some answers.
Example: pie representing the question.
The answer = pieces of the pie, but not the whole pie.
For partial answers = Rom. 5:11-4, James 1:2-4 - NOTE: "suffering produces", achieves; can result in good things!
Examples: "perseverance, character, hope, maturity... etc."
The lists are not exhaustive, these = examples
A good summary verse = Rom. 8:28 - "God allows BAD things to happen because He uses them to PRODUCE Good Things!! - God has the ability to do this!
So.... more slices of the pie:
#1. God may use Pain for Protection
Example: lepers holding hot pans - burn their flesh because have no feeling in hands. Nail in shoe, fractured ankle. If no pain, would suffer bad consequences.
Point = pain is sometimes our friend!!
#2. God may use pain as a deterrent.--- ie to discourage wrong behavior.
ie: "if I do __________, it might cost me ____________." - may ask for forgiveness, but the pain and damage remains.
(examples: smoking, overeating, an affair, holding a grudge, using harsh words)
Clearly related:
#3. God may use pain as a form of discipline.
(a) to get our attention
(b) to teach us Deut. 8:2-5
(c) to control our behavior Heb. 12:5-7, 11-12, Rev. 3:19
#4. God may use pain (and suffering) to improve your character
Examples: Peter & sifting - Luke 22:31-32
Paul and thorn - 2 Cor. 12:7-10
Rom. 8:28-29 - Jesus was made perfect through suffering.
NOTE: pain and suffering in and of itself is NOT refining. It is your response to pain and suffering that makes a difference. Pain and suffering has the tendency of potential that God can use.
Compare: Peter and his denial - led to shame and an improved Peter!
Judas Iscariot and his betrayal - led to despair and suicide!
Pain and suffering on its own has no value. What God does with it is what has value.
#5. God may use your pain and suffering to benefit others. Is often called "Redemptive Suffering"
Obvious example = Christ and the cross - He suffered for our sins
Human examples = Joseph ... sold into slavery... from slavery to prison... total of 13 years!
Result??? (1) became an exceptional man!
(2) that resulted in a position of influence and power
(3) which led to the (physical) salvation of his family
(4) which led a people group to become a nation ... through whom Christ would come!
So.... Gen. 50:10 - "you did this for evil, but God used it for good."
important note: We don't need to SEE the good for it to BE there! (We don't need to KNOW the reason for there to BE a reason!)
Summary: Suffering always hurts!!
Nevertheless, God allows it ... (in His wisdom and purpose...) FOR GOOD! Yours and others!
So question is, Can you TRUST Him ... in spite of the pain?
.... in the midst of the pain?
Whether you do MAY affect the outcome (Judas Iscariot)
But, it will NOT affect His faithfulness - 2 Tim. 2:13
Closing Scripture: 1 Pet. 5:10-11
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