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A child of God is immature, but sons are responsible and inherit the kingdom.

Why There is Evil

“If God is good, why is there evil in the world?”  Frankly, I have never heard a good answer. But the answer is basic and foundational to our lives in Christ.  First, let me reaffirm that God does not create evil, nor does He do any evil (James 1:13).  Yet He takes full responsibility for the existence of evil.  He fulfilled His responsibility for allowing evil into His creation on Calvary.

Evil was a calculated consequence of giving life free will, and specifically mankind.  He counted the cost (Luke 14:28) of this calculation which is why He was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8).

Evil can be summed up in one word: selfishness.  The essence of godly love (agape) is selflessness: i.e., other centered. Whereas the essence of worldly love is self centered; i.e., what’s in it for me?

So, why is there evil?

Child of God or Son of God?

In an earlier post I made the point that being a child of God is not the same thing as being a son of God.  A child of God is anyone who is born again, but  sonship is  responsible maturity in one who is prepared to inherit the throne.  Jesus was the first child of God, but His sonship began with His public ministry when God said that this was His son in whom He was well pleased.  But it was not  fulfilled until He died on the cross.  This is why He cried on the cross, “It is finished”  (John 19:30).

8    Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9    And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Heb 5:8-9 KJV)

I am a  gymnastics coach.  I know that mastery of the skills are not possible until the athlete is prepared in strength, flexibility and courage.  This only comes by struggle.  As a coach I guide the athletes through a series of challenges that increases their abilities in all these areas.

Struggle is inherent in nature.  A butterfly can not leave the cocoon without the struggle of breaking the cocoon open.  Likewise for a chick in the egg.  If you cut the cocoon or break the egg to help the creature out, it will die.  The struggle is the process of increasing strength.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13 KJV)

Just as struggle can strengthen us physically,  it also strengthens us spiritually through our resolve.  Notice in the verse above that the amount of temptation brought to you is controlled by God.  He is not bringing the temptation, but He is using the temptation in our discipleship.  If we respond according to His Word, we overcome the temptation and avoid such temptation in the future.

13    For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14    But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:13-14  KJV)

Maturity only comes through experience.  The heart is trained by experience.  Knowledge of what to do does not motivate the choices made.  Only when the heart has been tempered by the struggles of the past, will the choices made be godly.

Adam failed to become the son of God.  He passed the first test in discerning an appropriate mate (Gen. 2:18-23) but failed to discern the evil that had invaded the garden.  God did not want Adam to fail.  But he could only be the son of God in reality by  obeying the Lord.  If the love of God in Adam was complete, he would not have allowed Eve to eat the fruit.  But the imperfection of his love was revealed by his callous disregard for the death she was consuming.

Persecution Strengthens the Church

God does not cause persecution. If He did, it would be absurd for Jesus to ask Paul why he was persecuting Him (Acts 22:7). Yet it does provide a gauge for one’s progress into maturity.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Tim 3:12 KJV)

I have read on several occasions of saints in persecuted countries thanking God for the persecution because it refines the church and brings purity to the believers.  Evil will continue until the work of the Lord is finished.  His work is to strengthen us with struggle so we mature into true sonship.   Do not fear the evil in this world.  Rather, respond to it with godliness for God is working maturity into all of us.