God created human beings with the freedom of choice – freedom to do good or evil (Deuteronomy 30:19). Man chose to listen to the devil and yielded to his rule (Genesis 3). The devil is full of hate and his pleasure is to see the destruction of humans (John 8:44). That is why we have suffering, pain, and death today. Humans are reaping the fruit of their bad choices. We cannot blame God for our bad choices.
But God, in His infinite love, planned a way out to save man from death (Matthew 1:21). Christ came to die on behalf of man and set him free from the devil. All those that accept God’s plan and receive His gift of salvation through Jesus will be saved eternally (John 1:12).
So, the only One that truly suffered in this whole story is God Himself. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). For “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
God does not tempt man with bad things (James 1:13). Man has brought this condition of affairs upon himself by his disobedience (Genesis 1:27, 31; 3:15–19; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 6:23). Since this is the case, God uses these bad situations to develop human character according to His will (1 Peter 4:12, 13).
And the Lord “works all things together for good” for those the love Him (Romans 8:28). Even the bad trials of this life, far from hindering our salvation, may help it forward. At every step the Christian may be in the hands of God and be carrying out the divine purpose.
Finally, God will destroy the devil and all his followers, who caused so much pain and suffering and will reward every person according to his deeds (Revelation 20:10).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
