Many people who do not believe in God will say, “If God exist and claims to be “good” and “all-powerful”, why does He allow so much evil? He can’t be good if he allows evil to exist.”
1. Those who state this assume there is a standard of “good” and of “evil”. Where does that standard come from? Did you create it? Did I? In other words, no human being has the ability to create the objective standard of good and evil in which we all live by. Somebody outside of the human race had to create that standard, namely, God. He has written that standard on our hearts (Rom. 2:15).
2. Evil at it’s root is opposition to God’s righteous “good” rule. Adam’s sin was so tragic, the consequences would affect not only Adam, but every generation to follow. The essence of that consequence is the human race being filled with rebellion towards God’s righteousness. In short, we have the disease of hating God in our flesh (even though most us don’t believe it) and it condemns us (John 3:18).
3. The rebellion/sin within us is made manifest; however, God is merciful. If God were not merciful, we all would be justly shut out from Him now and all eternity. In other words, if he were not merciful, none of us would have the opportunity to get right with Him (Rom. 2:4). Justice would be hell for all of us. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), eternal death.
4. Immediately after Adam brought sin in the world, God uttered the first prophecy, that is, to destroy the work of Satan and restore man back to God (Gen. 3:15; 1 John 3:18; Rom. 3:23-26). Not only to restore man back to God but to label those who believe “a child of God” (John 1:12-13). Let me be clear, every human being is not a child of God. We all are made in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26); however, because of the fall of Adam, relationally, many are enemies of God (Rom. 5:10), effectively children of the devil (1 John 3:10; John 8:44).
So, yes, God is good and all-powerful. The high point of His goodness has been fully revealed through Jesus. An aspect of His omnipotence is revealed by His incredible mercy to a race of people who hate Him; yet, offers grace through Jesus to be restored to Him.
