Dear Editor,
It always amazes me how many people I talk with about God stand in judgment of Him.
When the subject of religion and God arises in a conversation, with me around it generally does, most people take God to task with their questions.
“Why does a loving God send people to hell?” “Why does a caring God allow so much sin in the world?” “Why does a compassionate God allow so much suffering and blood shed?” “If God really was a God of love there wouldn’t be all the wars!” “If there really was a God there wouldn’t be diseases like cancer!” “What about all the people who haven’t heard about His Son, would a kind and loving God just send them off to hell?” “If God is really good then…”
I think you get the picture.
People who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord stand on the outside and set themselves up as God’s judge.
They won’t accept God because He doesn’t live up to their expectations.
They like to blame the world’s problems on the God of Creation.
The God who stated after the creation was complete that everything was very good.
Why don’t they take into account man’s sin?
Those who stand in judgment of God seem to believe that man’s ethical standing if far greater than God’s.
When we question God about death, suffering, disease, war and all the other struggles, why doesn’t it ever surface that man’s sin is at the root of all the world’s ills?
Death came into the world due to man’s sin.
Suffering of all kinds is due to man’s fallen nature.
Wars are fought between groups of men desiring their way over their opposing group’s way.
Man was given the position of keeper of the garden.
How are we doing?
If man is so loving, kind, caring, compassionate, concerned and good why do we have all these problems in the world?
The root of the problem doesn’t fall on God. God gave man the choice to follow Him in obedience or go it on their own. Man chose to ignore God’s ways and now we stand in judgment of Him declaring that we are somehow more ethical than He is and blame Him for all the world’s problems.
Next time you get one of those thoughts that says your ethical standing is greater than God’s, pick up a paper or turn on a news source. Listen closely.
Which of the devastating situations that you hear about or see did God commit?
If you want to judge God on any issue you might ask Him why He loved a bunch of irresponsible humans enough to give them free-will choice.
Then ask yourself, how am I using my freedom?
Am I serving God or serving self?
Never judge your Judge.
He always gets the last Word.
Pastor Thomas R. Swain,
First Church of God,
Great Bend