Why Doesn't God Stop Evil?

Why Doesn't God Stop Evil?

Turn on the news for five minutes, and you'll probably find yourself asking the same question: Why doesn't God do something?

We see violence, hatred, injustice, war, abuse, and suffering. We watch people hurt one another with words, actions, and sometimes unimaginable cruelty. If Jesus really is Lord, why doesn't He simply put an end to it?

It's not a new question.

Jesus' own disciples wondered the same thing. In one of His parables, He described a farmer who planted good seed in his field. During the night, however, an enemy came and scattered weeds among the wheat. When the servants discovered the weeds, they immediately wanted to pull them out.

The farmer surprised them.

"No," he said. "Let both grow together until the harvest."

Why wait?

Jesus' answer reveals something important about the heart of God. His delay isn't weakness. It isn't indifference. And it certainly isn't defeat.

It's mercy.

Every day Christ waits is another day the Gospel is preached. Another day someone hears about the Savior. Another day a prodigal comes home. Another day a sinner discovers forgiveness. Another day someone who was once far from God is brought near through faith in Jesus.

Think about your own life. If Christ had ended history before someone shared the Gospel with you, where would you be?

The patience we sometimes question is the very patience that first embraced us.

That doesn't mean evil will always continue. Jesus promises that the harvest is coming. There will be a day when every wrong is made right, every tear is wiped away, and evil is finally and forever removed.

But until that day, don't mistake Christ's delay for defeat.

The King has already won.

He waits because His saving work continues.

The Sower is still sowing.