The biggest question with evil is, "Why doesn't God prevent it from happening?" If God is really an all-good and all-powerful being, why doesn't he do something? First of all, God does not create evil; he allows it to occur. When he originally created the world, he created all things good. He created people, however, with the freedom to choose. This includes the freedom to make right and wrong choices. Often those wrong choices bring about consequences that end up hurting ourselves or other people, sometimes innocent victims who didn't deserve it.
Of course, God could intervene and control everything about our lives--the good and the bad--but then we would merely be robots and not truly free. He could even force us to love him if he wanted, but then forced love isn't true love. He gives us the freedom to choose or not to choose him, the freedom to live and enjoy life, and the freedom to make right and wrong choices. Unfortunately, we are left to deal with the consequences of our own and other people's actions.
Author C. S. Lewis said that 80 percent of suffering comes from the moral evil of mankind. So what about the other 20 percent? There are some things we will never truly understand here on Earth.
There is good news, however. First of all, the God of love is also a God of justice. For all those who make wrong choices, hurt innocent victims, and get off scot-free, a time is coming when they will face the consequences of their actions. God is the Ultimate Judge, and in due season, God will judge everyone for all their deeds. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13).
Second, God often uses the trials of life for a greater good, often to develop our character and make us better people. And we are able to help others in similar circumstances. Trials also force us to see what is important in life, and often drive us to God when nothing else will. We see the importance of faith, of love, of caring, and of family and friends.
Third, God has provided a way out. A time is coming when there will be no more suffering. In heaven, people will enjoy a paradise beyond imagination. God has created a place of eternal glory where there will be no more crying, pain, sickness, or death; a place where people will share his joy forever.
Finally, God does care. He never promised life would be problem-free, but he promised to be with people. Jesus himself felt love, compassion, and sorrow, and was drawn like a magnet to those who were hurting. God, in his love, wants a relationship with us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
God has a plan for us all. God take us at his own choosings, and when he thinks the tiem is best. Everything that Happens, happens for a purpose, and only God knows the purpose. I will pray for the family in that town, I hate to hear that
-Travis-
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"Jesus answered and said unto him; Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" John 3:3
Ban Canned Hunting. If you don't speak up against it you are part of the problem.
11I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all. 12For man also does not know his time. Just like fishes that are being taken in an evil net, and like birds that are being taken in a trap, so the sons of men themselves are being ensnared at a calamitous time, when it falls upon them suddenly.
In my opinion ppl being killed in car wrecks is not evil at work at all. More the laws of natural forces. Action/reaction. 2 tons of steel moving at x miles per hr.(Along with the frailty/limitationsofour human bodys* &life)
We can reduce the risks- but not totaly. Human errors, parts wear out, weather& other natural forces like the sun etc are also factors in these type of things things.There are many variables.
And in my opinion those things have nothing to do with god(or evil).
It is a verysad thing when little ones die so young- having not much chance to live there lifes- for that alone i hope there is something to all this afterlife/heaven etcthat many speak of.
Again in my opinion only-wanting thingsto be as hoped for dosnt make it so.
( why would a fish net be evil?)
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Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.-- Ovid (43 B.C.-A.D. 18)
Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was. ~Will Rogers
Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.
"Shouldn't someone tag Mr. Kennedy's 'bold new imaginative program' with its proper age?" "Under the tousled boyish haircut it is still old Karl Marx—first launched a century ago.
There is nothing new in the idea of a government being Big Brother to us all. R.Reagan-1960
I just heard a good word from my favorite pastor Dave Wilkerson...
1. There is no secret program to keep things from happening and that is why the prosperity preachers are wrong. We all have storms in our lives....it's about trusting God in and through the storm. For it rains on the just and the unjust. We Christians have th epromice that All things woork together for good if we love God. But none of us truly can answer why they happen. We are only called to be part of the answer to their hurt by our charity and compassion.
C7
Everything that Happens, happens for a purpose, and only God knows the purpose.
-Travis-
Amen brother! My youngest brother-in-law was raised in Church, he was a deacon and held other positions in the Church. Did many things to help others and was a good Christian man! Never smoked or drank liquor, never cursed or tollerated pornogaphy.
Yet the Lord called him May of 1998. He was 53yrs old and died of colon cancer.
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
This is a great thread with great responses. I think Leaf hits the nail on the head and drove it home from the very beginning. Man and evil choices are what usually make the world a rough place. God is not responsible for evil acts or for all the trjedy the occurs.
As to losing a child to an accident or disease, I can speak to that personally. My sun was born with several medical difficulties from the beginning. Why? To glorify God that is why. There were so many people including my wife and I that learned from him. When we stopped focusing on his suffering or our own, we were able to see God's will much more clearly.
He died four years ago next month. Why did he need to die? For God's glory and for ours. I can testify that he had a great mission to accomplish in the five years he was here. I can also testify that his mission has not ended. He continues to do and share, these things I cannot speak of here, but I do know that he continues to do his will and God's will.
My personal opinion is: That when it seems a child is taken by tragedy, it is because God did not want to contue to subject them to the human condition. They have accomplished their mission and he has yet much more work for them to do on the other side of the earthly veil. They are still with us, we just don't know it.
God Bless,
Porter.
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"The Lord commands us to be peacemakers. This is more than peace keeping. Peacemaking is an active thing that requires much greater effort at making peace happen rather than just keeping ones peace."
This time those were my words. Find that parcel of OT wisdom for me and let me know when you have it. I'll add to my "Chuck's quotables list."
God Bless,
Porter.
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"The Lord commands us to be peacemakers. This is more than peace keeping. Peacemaking is an active thing that requires much greater effort at making peace happen rather than just keeping ones peace."
why do things happen
