Umm. I think I understand it now. I know that everyone that ever lived – all of creation – have sinned in some way and even though those offences may not be things that send us to prison, they are still misdemeanours that displease God and separate us from himself.
I understand that he loved us so much that he sent his son, Jesus to die in our place, so that instead of taking the punishment ourselves, he took it for us.
But I have a problem with all this. You Christians say that God is in control, but the world is in a real mess! If this devil person is real, it looks to me like he’s doing a good job of being the boss down here.
If Jesus died to give us a better life, why are so many people suffering? Please don’t give me a politician’s answer by skipping around my question or covering it over with a distraction. Why doesn’t Jesus do something to end it all if he is so powerful and mighty?
Good question.
We live in a world that was made imperfect after mankind fell by being disobedient to God. This separated us from him and thus, an existence of peace and harmony.
Therefore, we have to be careful not to go around blaming people for their children being born disabled or contracting diseases. Accidents happen and natural disasters occur everywhere owing to this imperfection.
Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
But I think you are referring to the wider picture?
Yes, I’m more concerned about violence, divorce, poverty, famine, drought, war and so on.
The Devil’s destiny is eternal punishment for all he has done and those who choose to follow him by rejecting Jesus will enter the same fate. Nobody knows the exact time that will be, but God gave us clear indications as to when that season is drawing near. He told us to be alert, vigilant and pray. He told us to ensure our lives were matching up with what he desires and to put others before ourselves. He told us to seek out what he wants instead of our own selfish desires because that is what will lead to true joy, true peace and a better world.
But century after century, we are proving that we like to get distracted thinking too much about ourselves, and not enough about God’s heart for mankind and the universe. God hates to see people suffer. He is not blind to any innocent child crying for help. He has given us his resources to use to help deliver the oppressed. He has instructed us to have conversations with him often so we can see where we are going wrong and quickly get back on track.
World scientists agree that there is enough good land for the entire population to live in areas where the soil is rich and water runs freely. There is more than enough food and there always has been. It is the greed, selfishness and foolishness of mankind that has caused abject poverty, war, sicknesses, disease, famine and a myriad of other terrible situations.
Governments and wicked oppressors have forced communities to live in barren areas where God never intended humans to inhabit. Countries laden with premium commodities have been cheated out of their own produce by those who embrace avarice over morality. Rightful owners of grand estate have been tossed aside and the thieves have refused acknowledge the importance of sharing.
Certain practices that God knows are emotionally harmful to mankind have been encouraged by national leaders. Thus, we have put many harmful things into our minds and bodies which has affected us mentally, socially, physically and environmentally.
All in all, we have not been good stewards of our planet, our resources, ourselves or our neighbour. The knock-on effect has been cataclysmic, both naturally and spiritually.
Our foolishness, complacency and utter disregard for holiness has given the satanic forces in the unseen realm more power to reign across the world.
Throughout the ages, God has touched the hearts of millions of people who have reached out practically to the homeless, the poor, the disabled, abused and abandoned. Amazing things have been done when people have allowed Jesus to lead them and equip them to bless instead of curse. The lives of billions have been abundantly blessed because of those who have constantly and fervently prayed for people, spoken God’s promises over people, forgiven their enemies, refused to be fearful of people full of evil intent and those prepared to go the extra mile in order to see somebody released the devil’s grasp.
One example out of an immeasurable number, is a man called George Müeller, who in 1836 had a heart to open up an orphanage for children in Bristol, England. He decided to never beg any wealthy people or organisations for money but to instead, trust God to provide for these little ones. His love and compassion resulted in him raising today’s equivalent of 86 million pounds.
He cared for more than ten thousand children and established a great many schools. He did it because he knew God loved people. He did it because he knew God was willing to help. The same God who gave a poor German man 86 million pounds to feed, educate and raise orphans is the same God who sees all the other people in the world who are suffering and is asking us, “Will you go and help? Are you willing to be my hands my feet my arms and my heart?”
You are right that the world is in a mess and that suffering has reached an unprecedented scale. But we have no excuse because the Creator of mankind and the universe has left us with an amazingly easy- to-understand guidebook to not only show us how to live beautifully, but to warn us what will happen if we don’t.
Saying that, God does not want a load of intellectuals arguing his case with clever arguments to prove he is Love. By living a life of compassion for others, selflessness and purity, we prove what the heart of God is like – just like how George Müeller proved what God’s heart was like towards helpless, poor children. I could knock your doubt out of the water with clever words and still be dishonouring our creator by the godless way I live.
But to summarise my answer to your question: Over the centuries we have made the choice to ignore his advice. To ignore him.
Therefore, world suffering is not God’s fault. It is ours.
