We’ve been talking about love as the underlying theme of Revelation and its related scriptures, but while the overall picture makes sense, our emotions can sometimes tempt us to question God. At these times, it’s critical to remember that God doesn’t force people to love Him back.

To truly love God is to appreciate who He is and to want an unhindered relationship with Him over and above everything else. It’s something that God cannot even earn from us. It is something we can only choose to give of our own volition, but here’s the stumblingblock (for mankind, not for God): because true love is always accompanied by sacrifice and servitude (which Jesus perfectly demonstrated), it often takes significant motivation for someone to love God (and keep loving Him). Someone might question why God allows suffering, but this freedom to experience the consequences of our choices is, in fact, a sign of God’s love toward us.

Mankind is quick to accept credit for his own achievements, but he is generally not willing to accept responsibility for his wrongdoings. In our courts of law, every accused person is given the opportunity to defend himself. If we want to accuse God of allowing evil things to happen to mankind, we must also allow God to speak in defense. God’s defense is written in the Bible.

God has given every person free will to choose how he will lead his life, and it is by these choices that man causes evil to come upon man:

Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

The scriptures above apply to both the aggressor and the victim alike. It is by man’s choice that he descends upon another with evil intent, and it is also by man’s choice to live in sin that he forfeits the protection of God.

“Sin” is a state of being, first invited into the lives of man by the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Under the Old Testament agreement, people were required to strictly follow a set of laws (not just the Ten Commandments) in order to remain in right standing with God. Under the New Covenant, God offers a specific, tangible way to be cleansed of this state of “walking in the flesh” and be reunited with Him. Yet, most people have rejected God’s instructions; instead, they have substituted their self-righteousness and self-made doctrines:

Romans 10:2-3, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Matthew 15:8-9, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, andhonoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
Hebrews 13:9, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines…”
2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

These rebellious (whether conscious or subconscious) people continue to live in sin. This does not refer to just the “alternative” religions of today. It ashamedly applies to all the self-proclaimed Christians who openly proclaim the name of Jesus Christ yet have not done His Father’s will:

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The countries of the world worship false idols and false prophets. In the United States, there is a Christ-professing church on virtually every street corner, yet most are failing their congregations in one way or another. Supposed God-fearing nations are encouraging free worship in the name of multiculturalism.

No one can blame God for what has, or may still, befall mankind. Yet, God continues to extend His patience and mercy, giving individuals opportunity after opportunity to repent and get things right with Him.

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Philippians 2:12, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Ecclesiastes 8:11, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

Is it God's Fault?