The Problem of Evil?

An Emailed Question:

I recently had questions asked to me concerning how the Bible states God’s love for us but at the same time there’s death, destruction and misery in our lives. They want to know how he can be a loving God when all of the above are going on in our society. Another question asked was why doesn’t God show himself now so there will be proof of his existence. What do I tell them? I have tried explaining that he wants us to have the faith to accept him and he is trying to get our attention. What else can I tell them? Thanks for your help.


Those are very natural questions for unbelieving man. We can only go so far in giving answers that will satisfy man’s intellect. At some point one must personally encounter God and experience a measure of revelation concerning His character.

The Bible does indeed clearly set forth a God of great love and mercy. It also sets forth a rebellion against Him led by Satan and his angels. In the beginning, man chose to join Satan’s rebellion resulting in the entrance of sin and death with all of its terrible implications. God, in His wisdom, has permitted this for a time to fulfill a larger purpose but that time is rapidly running out. There will be a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. It won’t be long.

During this present evil age, God has purposed to call out a people for Himself through the gospel. Through grace He reveals Himself to them that they might repent and bow the knee to Jesus Christ. From that point on He works in them to prepare them for His ultimate purpose. During that process we must continue to live for a time in this evil world – and yet live for Him. We can only do that as He lives IN us and gives us His strength and faith.

None of these things make any sense to someone who has not seen them by revelation (I don’t mean some great supernatural experience -- just an inward knowledge imparted by God to the heart, usually through anointed preaching).

Several things are clear:

• Natural men cannot understand the things of God. I Cor. 2:14, Rom. 8:7.
• Men are in no position to even understand, let alone judge God. Rom. 3:11, Rom. 9:20.
• God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb. 11:6.
• A knowledge of His goodness comes only from a personal encounter. Psalm 34:8, Jeremiah 29:13.

There is a point beyond which we must be willing to lay down our questions and trust Him because of Who He is. It takes more than intellectual argument to bring that about. One must be willing to seek Him honestly from their heart. That’s what God is looking for! He won’t disappoint someone like that.

See also Deuteronomy 29:29.

May God bless you,
Phil Enlow

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