Calvary Baptist Church

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Why does a loving and all – powerful God allow evil to exist?

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The question of the existence of evil in the world is almost as old as the human race. Theologians and philosophers have grappled with it for centuries without finding a complete answer. Some have concluded God must not care. But we know better than that, don’t we? We live in a random universe, they say, with no rhyme or reason to it. In the midst of his agony, Job cried out in Job 3: 23 & 26: (23) “Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (26) I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.”

We have probably asked the same question. While God allows tragedy and suffering, God is still sovereign, and He is still loving and merciful and compassionate.

The Bible speaks of “the mystery of iniquity” in 2 Thessalonians 2: 7 (KJV); and that’s what evil is, a mystery filled with suffering and turmoil. They aren’t just an illusion, nor can we banish them by thinking positive thoughts or optimistically telling ourselves everything will be all right. Evil and suffering are real, and we see them everywhere we look. Our headlines scream it, our experience confirms it; our own hearts and minds know it.

There is much we don’t know about the origin of evil. We can barely imagine the battle that raged in the heavens when Satan and his followers lashed out against God. Satan is absolutely opposed to God and His people. The Bible calls him the one who leads the whole world astray.

Revelation 12: 9 & 10 says: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angles were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

So, what can we do about it? We can flee all evil and run straight to God.

Psalm 119: 101 says: “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.”

You see, Satan is no match for the Almighty God. Evil is real – but so much more is God’s power and love!