If God Is Perfect, Why Is There Evil?نموونە

Day 8: Application

Today, we wrap up this reading plan with some implications for our own lives. In light of the “solution” to the problem of evil, what should we do—how should we live?

Examine Yourself

Most people who complain about evil are doing little about it themselves. Before we blame God for evil, we should examine ourselves. Acknowledge that personal sin is the problem of evil that we should deal with first.

Non-Christians need to turn to Christ for forgiveness of sins. Christians need to walk by the Spirit and stop serving the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Believers are called to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Interestingly, the more Christlike we become, the more we become aware of God’s holiness and the sinfulness of sin. The better we know God, the smaller the problem of evil becomes.

Remember God Has a Purpose for Suffering

Another personal implication concerns disease, suffering, and death. Many times, we are tempted to rebel against God because of something that has happened in our lives or in the lives of others we know.

When things happen that seem cruel or unfair, we should remember God has a sovereign purpose in all things, even suffering (1 Peter 2:20–21; 4:1). Most important is not the situation but our response to it.

In addition to suffering having a purpose, we must also remember that suffering is not permanent (Romans 8:18). In fact, it’s brief, relatively speaking (1 Peter 5:10).

Adversity is also something we should expect (1 Peter 4:12–14; John 16:33).

God redeems what he allows. Although it may always be somewhat mysterious why God permits evil and suffering, we know that he is good and that he will use it for a purpose. (I discuss this topic in greater depth in my book Shaped by Suffering.)

Model Your Response After Christ’s

Jesus was perfect. Yet even he, the Son of God, suffered while in this world. This fact can bring unparalleled comfort in times of distress in our own lives.

Consider the response of Christ—the exemplar of innocent suffering:

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:21–23 NIV).

We also should entrust ourselves to God, submitting ourselves to him, when we suffer. This doesn’t mean we lie down like helpless victims, but neither do we allow our suffering to tempt us to sin.

Be Countercultural

The biblical understanding of human nature—including our sinfulness at birth—is radically opposed to our culture’s beliefs. Today, our culture makes evil relative by reducing morality to personal preferences and subjective feelings. Our culture approaches the problems we face on an external level, claiming that social ills are due to deprivation, not depravity. Thus, we live in a culture of blame.

This is precisely the opposite of the biblical vision of the human condition.

Remember that God said if we humble ourselves and repent, he will hear us, he will forgive, and send the Holy Spirit to enable us to turn from our sin and live a holy life. In the end, those who humble themselves in this way will be exalted, enjoying blessing and honor.