Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20, NKJV
On this side of heaven, we may never have the answer to the question—if God were a God of love, why does He allow so much heartache and sorrow in the world? I have often considered it and come to realize in my own heart that the answer is found within the question.
The answer is love.
You see, God loves us so much that He has given us the freedom to choose between right and wrong. We can choose to follow God and live our lives in a manner that would glorify Him. Or we can choose to rebel and go our own selfish way, not caring who we hurt along the way.
Unfortunately, many in the world choose the latter choice, thereby causing heartache and sorrow for those around them. Worse, those that choose to go their own way are playing into Satan’s hands.
Take a look at what God told the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:19–20a, NIV1984).
You see, God gave man a choice.
Each one of us is free to walk our own path. Why? Because God loves us so deeply that He wanted to give you and me the choice to follow Him or not.
When you think about it, that’s true love!
If God had not given Adam and Eve the freedom to eat the forbidding fruit (thereby creating the so-called perfect world where there would be no heartache and sorrow), then we would be nothing more than robots.
There’s no other way.
To learn more concerning this topic and to listen to the complete message, click on the audio file at the beginning of this blog post.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank you for creating me with a free will, with the ability to choose to glorify you in all I do or even to stumble and fall. Help me to make wise choices and to put You, and You only, first and foremost in my life.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
EMBRACE TRUTH
I am free to choose!
DIG DEEPER
Deuteronomy 30:15–20; Joshua 24:15; Luke 12:8–10; Philippians 2:3
This blog and podcast episode were inspired by my book Clothed in Righteousness.
EXCITING NEWS!
My new Bible study was recently released Clothed in Righteousness in Depth Devotional Study Guide. Check it out here!
Clothed in Righteousness In-Depth Devotional Study Guide
May God richly bless you. Now go out and change the world by walking the path God has for you. God bless, Cherie
