HOW COULD A LOVING GOD….?

(The Problem of Evil and Suffering)

n One of the main objections to the faith, is the problem of EVIL and SUFFERING in the world.

n Why is there evil in the world if there is a God?

n Why isn’t he doing something about it if he loves us?

n Many assume that the existence of evil disproves the existence of God.

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL

Man’s Logic

n God is all powerful, loving and perfect

(1) A perfect, loving God WOULD create a UNIVERSE THAT WAS PERFECT

(2) The universe is not perfect but contains evil and suffering

(3) Therefore, how can we believe in an all powerful, good God?

I. GOD CREATED PARADISE FOR US

(Genesis 1:31)

“… It was good, very good.”

n Some say;

…If God is so good; why didn’t he create a world free of pain and suffering

…Answer: He did, and man’s sin

DESTROYED it

…Some say:

…Why did He allow man to sin?

…Answer: He created us as FREE

MORAL BEINGS in His image.

…Without CHOICE, we could not be

moral beings.

II. MAN FELL INTO SIN

(Genesis 3)

n Sin had to be allowed to come into human experience or man could have had no choice!

ALL MANKIND WAS AFFECTED

1. His spiritual life affected- separated

from the creator

2. His body affected- aging, disease, death

3. The world affected- Paradise Lost

Romans 8:19-23

“ The creation waits in eager expectation for the

sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was

subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,

but by the will of the one who subjected it, in

hope that the creation itself will be liberated

from its bondage to decay and brought into the

glorious freedom of the children of God.

cont.

“We know that the whole creation has

been groaning as in the pains of

childbirth right up to the present time.

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have

the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan

inwardly as we wait eagerly for our

adoption as sons, the redemption of our

bodies.”

OUR CONTINUED SIN PROBLEM (Romans 3:23)

n Sin brought pain and suffering into the world

n Our personal sin continues to bring pain and suffering

n The sins of others, brings suffering into life.

III. GOD BEGAN REDEMPTION

n Genesis 3:15

“ And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.“

n Old Testament sacrificial system = Israel

The Fullness of Redemption
Jesus coming/The Gospel

n To begin the kingdom of God in hearts (church) (Jer 31)

n To begin reversing the curse- Righteousness Restored

n We live in the “ALREADY AND NOT YET”

n Jesus entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death

n Our suffering become more manageable in the light of His

n Over the question mark AGAINST HUMAN SUFFERING, we boldly stamp another mark; THE CROSS, which symbolizes divine suffering.

IV. FINAL VICTORY

n Jesus returns

n New heaven and new earth forever

n Bodily resurrection

I Thessalonians 4:16

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

V. GOD’S POWERFUL ANSWERS FOR LIFE’S PAIN

n In times of pain, suffering; we must lift the Shield of faith against the doubts of God’s love and goodness.

Four Eternal Truths

(1) God is GOOD

“…No one is good, except God

alone.” (Mark 10:18)

(2) Every good and perfect gift comes

from GOD

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the

heavenly lights, who does not change like

shifting shadows.”

(3) No good thing will He withhold

from those who love Him

Psalms 84:11

“ For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the

LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing

does he withhold from those whose walk is

blameless.”

(4) Every bad thing the devil sends

into your life God will turn it into

good.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who love him, who have

been called according to his purpose.”

n God uses suffering

n God uses suffering to bring us to eternal life

n God uses suffering to wean us away from this world

n God uses suffering to discipline us to turn to Him.

n God uses suffering to let us know Him better (Job)

n God uses suffering to mature us in our character

n God uses suffering to give us compassion toward others

n It is important that we understand the working of God’s will

n His Will is Both;

INTENTIONAL AND PERMISSIVE

n There is no other place where the fact of a loving God is so clearly seen, as at the cross.

n 1 John 4:9,10

“This is how God showed his love among us:

He sent his one and only Son into the

world that we might live through him. This

is love: not that we loved God, but that he

loved us and sent his Son as an atoning

sacrifice for our sins.”

Romans 8:18

“I consider that our present sufferings

are not worth comparing with the glory

that will be revealed in us.”