Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Pastor John MacArthur to discuss one of the most challenging questions facing Christianity today: If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow so much suffering and evil in the world?
This question has been a stumbling block for many, including well-known figures like Larry King, who Pastor John mentioned would often retreat to this "agnostic rabbit hole" during their conversations. It's a question that demands a thoughtful, biblical response, and I'm grateful for the wisdom Pastor John shared on this topic.
The Purpose Behind Suffering and Evil
Pastor John's response was both profound and enlightening. He began by emphasizing a crucial point: God does not cause evil, but He does allow it. This distinction is vital for understanding God's relationship to the suffering we see in the world.
But why would a good God allow evil to exist? According to Pastor John, the answer lies in God's ultimate purpose for all things: His own glory.
"Everything is for His glory," Pastor John explained. He pointed out a phrase that appears repeatedly throughout Scripture: "for the sake of the name." This phrase underscores that everything that happens – including the existence of evil and suffering – is ultimately for the sake of God's name, or in other words, for His glory.
God's Glory Revealed Through Redemption
One of the most powerful insights Pastor John shared was how God's glory is supremely displayed through His redemptive work. If there were no evil or sin in the world, there would be no need for forgiveness, grace, mercy, compassion, or kindness. These attributes of God, which reveal His glory in profound ways, would remain hidden.
"God allows evil," Pastor John stated, "in order that He might put His glory on display." He went on to explain that while God's glory is evident in creation and in His providential control of history, it's most magnificently revealed in His grace.
This point resonated deeply with me. It's through the backdrop of a broken, fallen world that we can truly appreciate the breathtaking beauty of God's redemptive work. As Pastor John put it, "Nowhere is His glory as great as it is in His grace, because that's where it captures us and takes us to glory."
The Eternal Perspective
Another crucial aspect of understanding suffering and evil is maintaining an eternal perspective. Pastor John reminded us that our praise in heaven will center not just on God's creative power and majesty, but particularly on His grace. "Forever in heaven," he said, "we will praise Him, not only for His creative power and His majesty, but for His grace in particular."
This eternal perspective helps us see that the suffering and evil we experience in this life, as terrible as they can be, are temporary. They serve a greater purpose in God's plan and will ultimately lead to an eternity of praising God for His redemptive work.
Practical Implications
As I reflected on Pastor John's words, I was struck by several practical implications for our lives as believers:
- Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when we can't understand why suffering occurs, we can trust that God is in control and is working all things for His glory and our ultimate good.
- Appreciate God's Grace: The existence of evil and suffering in the world should make us all the more grateful for God's amazing grace in our lives.
- Share the Gospel: Understanding that God's glory is supremely displayed in His redemptive work should motivate us to share the good news of salvation with others.
- Maintain an Eternal Perspective: When faced with suffering, we should remember that our current trials are temporary and will pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits us.
Conclusion
While the question of suffering and evil remains a challenging one, I'm grateful for Pastor John's biblical and thoughtful response. His insights remind us that even in the midst of pain and difficulty, we can trust in God's goodness, sovereignty, and redemptive purpose.
As we navigate the complexities of life in a fallen world, may we always remember that our God is both good and all-powerful. He allows suffering and evil not because He is unable or unwilling to stop it, but because through it, He displays the full spectrum of His glory – especially the glory of His grace.
And ultimately, isn't that what our hearts long for? To see and savor the glory of God in all its fullness? May this eternal perspective comfort us in our trials and inspire us to live for the glory of the One who is making all things new.
