All In with Jordan Easley

Jordan Easley - Why Would God Allow Evil and Suffering?

June 8, 2025 | S25 E24 | 28:30

Jordan Easley seeks to help people understand and apply God’s word to their lives.

#inActive #WordofGod #Suffering #Devil #Evil #Heaven #Patience #Miracles #Relationships #Purpose #Challenges

Closed captions

Show Timecode

All In with Jordan Easley | Jordan Easley - Why Would God Allow Evil and Suffering? | June 8, 2025

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.316
Male announcer: this episode of "all in"
00:00:01.450 --> 00:00:02.651
With pastor jordan easley has been made possible
00:00:02.785 --> 00:00:04.920
By the generous support of viewers like you.
00:00:05.020 --> 00:00:07.256
Welcome to "all in" with pastor jordan easley.
00:00:08.457 --> 00:00:11.193
Today's message is about to begin, and we invite you to
00:00:11.193 --> 00:00:13.829
Prepare your heart and mind to hear an inspiring message
00:00:13.829 --> 00:00:16.765
From god's word.
00:00:16.765 --> 00:00:18.100
We hope and pray for god to speak to you today as you seek
00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:21.503
To live your life all in for jesus christ.
00:00:21.503 --> 00:00:24.873
And now from first baptist church in cleveland, tennessee,
00:00:24.873 --> 00:00:27.910
Here is pastor jordan easley.
00:00:27.910 --> 00:00:30.045
Pastor jordan easley: why would a good god allow so many bad
00:00:31.814 --> 00:00:35.284
Things to happen?
00:00:35.284 --> 00:00:37.820
You know, that question remains relevant today, not only
00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:41.657
Regarding global tragedies or world events, but also in our
00:00:41.657 --> 00:00:47.062
Personal lives.
00:00:47.062 --> 00:00:49.064
In fact, some of you may be asking that question today
00:00:49.064 --> 00:00:52.634
Because you yourself are walking through a season of suffering
00:00:52.634 --> 00:00:56.839
And you're wondering right now, why, god?
00:00:56.839 --> 00:01:00.175
I don't get it.
00:01:00.175 --> 00:01:01.844
Why me?
00:01:01.844 --> 00:01:03.212
Why my family?
00:01:03.212 --> 00:01:04.580
Why now?
00:01:04.580 --> 00:01:07.082
In my 22 plus years of ministry, i can tell you honestly that
00:01:07.082 --> 00:01:10.919
That is the one question that i've had to wrestle with
00:01:10.919 --> 00:01:14.790
The most.
00:01:14.790 --> 00:01:17.493
When you go to an orphanage and you see orphans scattered all
00:01:17.493 --> 00:01:21.597
Throughout the building and they've been abandoned and
00:01:21.597 --> 00:01:24.600
They're just there waiting for someone to pick them up.
00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:26.935
They're just longing for someone to love them.
00:01:26.935 --> 00:01:28.937
I'm just telling you, it doesn't make any sense.
00:01:28.937 --> 00:01:32.107
When you get the phone call and you hear the news that a family
00:01:32.107 --> 00:01:34.943
Has been in a horrible car accident and the kids are okay,
00:01:34.943 --> 00:01:38.514
But neither one of the parents survived.
00:01:38.514 --> 00:01:42.784
When you're the one that's burying a child that fought for
00:01:42.784 --> 00:01:46.455
Their life and you've walked through this journey and you've
00:01:46.455 --> 00:01:49.091
Seen them fight hard and yet you're there burying the child
00:01:49.091 --> 00:01:52.361
And hearing the parents ask you the question, "pastor, help me
00:01:52.361 --> 00:01:54.930
Understand, how could god allow this to happen?"
00:01:54.930 --> 00:01:58.600
I just wanna be honest with you, that's tough.
00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:01.170
And the reason it's tough is because i don't know.
00:02:01.170 --> 00:02:04.740
I don't understand why these things have to happen.
00:02:04.740 --> 00:02:07.176
I don't understand why some people live and some people die.
00:02:07.176 --> 00:02:10.879
I don't understand why there are starving people in the world, or
00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:13.715
Sick people in the world, or suffering people on
00:02:13.715 --> 00:02:16.585
Planet earth.
00:02:16.585 --> 00:02:17.920
I don't get any of that any more than you get it today.
00:02:17.920 --> 00:02:20.923
But, i can tell you one thing's for sure and that is, jesus
00:02:20.923 --> 00:02:24.793
Warned us that those things were gonna happen long before they
00:02:24.793 --> 00:02:28.230
Ever happened.
00:02:28.230 --> 00:02:29.765
In fact, this week i read the words of christ in john chapter
00:02:29.765 --> 00:02:33.035
16, verse 33, and i wanna share them with you today.
00:02:33.035 --> 00:02:36.438
Jesus told us, "you will have suffering in this world."
00:02:36.438 --> 00:02:41.443
He never tried to hide that from us, but he wanted to prepare us.
00:02:41.443 --> 00:02:45.280
He said, "you will have suffering in this world."
00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:48.483
And yet, i'm still asking the question, why?
00:02:48.483 --> 00:02:51.253
Why do we have to suffer?
00:02:51.253 --> 00:02:54.189
And you know what, in addressing that question, i honestly don't
00:02:54.189 --> 00:02:57.459
Think you and i will ever fully understand this side of heaven.
00:02:57.459 --> 00:03:02.297
The bible talks about that in 1 corinthians 13:12.
00:03:02.297 --> 00:03:05.968
That verse says, "for now we see only a reflection as in a
00:03:05.968 --> 00:03:09.504
Mirror, but then face to face.
00:03:09.504 --> 00:03:13.141
Now i know in part, but then i will know fully as i am
00:03:13.141 --> 00:03:18.413
Fully known."
00:03:18.413 --> 00:03:20.482
And that verse is talking about our perspective and it's talking
00:03:20.482 --> 00:03:23.385
About our perception of the world.
00:03:23.385 --> 00:03:26.421
And he tells us very clearly that today you're trying to see
00:03:26.421 --> 00:03:30.425
Clearly, and you're trying to understand the big picture, and
00:03:30.425 --> 00:03:33.295
You're trying really, really hard, but the word of god just
00:03:33.295 --> 00:03:36.098
Said no matter how hard you try to figure it out, you can't.
00:03:36.098 --> 00:03:40.502
You can't.
00:03:40.502 --> 00:03:42.070
Because right now it's like you and i are living in a fog.
00:03:42.070 --> 00:03:46.642
Today is a foggy day.
00:03:46.642 --> 00:03:49.378
And the bible says today, because of the fog, you and i
00:03:49.378 --> 00:03:53.515
Can't see anything clearly.
00:03:53.515 --> 00:03:55.717
But it also tells us that there's coming a day when your
00:03:55.717 --> 00:03:58.920
Questions will be answered.
00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:00.589
A day when you're gonna be able to clearly see why.
00:04:00.589 --> 00:04:04.259
But as for now, you gotta keep moving forward by faith.
00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:09.598
We gotta move forward by faith and you and i have to learn how
00:04:09.598 --> 00:04:13.535
To navigate the fog.
00:04:13.535 --> 00:04:16.738
A while back, i woke up one morning very early.
00:04:16.738 --> 00:04:19.641
I got into my car and within just a few seconds of driving in
00:04:19.641 --> 00:04:23.779
That car, i realized that the fog was dangerously dense
00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:27.482
That day.
00:04:27.482 --> 00:04:28.850
I attempted to drive down georgetown road on my way to the
00:04:28.850 --> 00:04:32.220
Church and, at one point, i had to slow my car down to a crawl
00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:37.392
Because the fog was so bad.
00:04:37.392 --> 00:04:39.561
I was driving through a construction zone at that point
00:04:39.561 --> 00:04:41.930
And i couldn't even see the lines on the road and i was
00:04:41.930 --> 00:04:44.433
Really afraid that i was going to hit one of the concrete
00:04:44.433 --> 00:04:47.002
Barriers on the left or the right, and so, man, i'm crawling
00:04:47.002 --> 00:04:50.305
Down the street, just barely moving at all.
00:04:50.305 --> 00:04:53.442
Luckily for me, i approached a red light and in front of me at
00:04:53.442 --> 00:04:57.946
That intersection was one of those big--what do you
00:04:57.946 --> 00:05:00.982
Call this?
00:05:00.982 --> 00:05:02.317
It's a big redneck truck.
00:05:02.317 --> 00:05:03.685
You know what i'm talking about?
00:05:03.685 --> 00:05:05.687
You know what i'm talking about.
00:05:05.687 --> 00:05:07.055
It's one of those big old trucks that had like a hundred lights
00:05:07.055 --> 00:05:09.291
Mounted on the front of it.
00:05:09.291 --> 00:05:11.326
Have you ever seen one of these trucks?
00:05:11.326 --> 00:05:12.694
Raise your--shake your head--don't judge me.
00:05:12.694 --> 00:05:14.663
Okay, you've seen these trucks.
00:05:14.663 --> 00:05:16.665
This dude had fog lights and headlights and bright lights and
00:05:16.665 --> 00:05:20.335
Rope lights and he had light bars.
00:05:20.335 --> 00:05:23.438
I'm pretty sure the guy had some glow sticks on the front of
00:05:23.438 --> 00:05:25.874
This thing.
00:05:25.874 --> 00:05:27.242
I mean, he had every single light imaginable mounted to the
00:05:27.242 --> 00:05:29.077
Front of his vehicle and i think it's safe to say he was prepared
00:05:29.077 --> 00:05:32.581
For the fog.
00:05:32.581 --> 00:05:34.483
And i realized in that moment, you know what?
00:05:34.483 --> 00:05:36.485
I don't have to have all of that stuff in order to move
00:05:36.485 --> 00:05:39.321
Forward today.
00:05:39.321 --> 00:05:40.822
I realized sitting there behind this truck, i don't have to have
00:05:40.822 --> 00:05:43.692
Every light mounted on my car in order to get to my
00:05:43.692 --> 00:05:47.262
Destination today.
00:05:47.262 --> 00:05:48.597
And i had this--you know, the only thing i need in this moment
00:05:48.597 --> 00:05:51.333
Is this: i just have to be able to see that guy's taillights.
00:05:51.333 --> 00:05:57.038
I knew he can see so much better than i can see right now.
00:05:57.038 --> 00:06:01.042
I don't have to have that, all i need is him.
00:06:01.042 --> 00:06:03.845
I need his taillights and as long as i can see those
00:06:03.845 --> 00:06:07.449
Taillights, i have what i need to move in the right direction.
00:06:07.449 --> 00:06:13.522
Listen, i'm so thankful that the lord gives us taillights to
00:06:13.522 --> 00:06:17.526
Follow when it comes to our why questions.
00:06:17.526 --> 00:06:20.996
Now, one day we will clearly see and we will fully understand,
00:06:20.996 --> 00:06:25.400
But until then there are a few truths in god's word that i
00:06:25.400 --> 00:06:29.504
Believe allow us to move forward in the fog.
00:06:29.504 --> 00:06:33.942
If you have a copy of god's word today, i'm gonna ask you to take
00:06:33.942 --> 00:06:37.245
It, and hopefully you're taking notes today.
00:06:37.245 --> 00:06:39.481
I'm gonna give you three things regarding this question of why
00:06:39.481 --> 00:06:42.250
God allows bad things to happen that i believe we need to
00:06:42.250 --> 00:06:44.619
Understand as believers, but we're also gonna dive into god's
00:06:44.619 --> 00:06:47.823
Word starting in genesis 1 in just a moment.
00:06:47.823 --> 00:06:50.559
The first thing i want you to jot down about this question is
00:06:50.559 --> 00:06:53.728
This: god didn't create evil and suffering, but he does allow it.
00:06:53.728 --> 00:06:59.901
He does allow it.
00:06:59.901 --> 00:07:01.636
Skeptics love to ask the question, "hey, why didn't god
00:07:01.636 --> 00:07:04.406
Just create a world where there was no evil?
00:07:04.406 --> 00:07:07.442
A world where suffering didn't exist."
00:07:07.442 --> 00:07:10.378
And if you're asking that same question today, allow me to go
00:07:10.378 --> 00:07:13.281
Ahead and answer the question with clarity.
00:07:13.281 --> 00:07:15.283
Are you ready?
00:07:15.283 --> 00:07:16.618
He did.
00:07:16.618 --> 00:07:17.986
He did create that world that you're asking about.
00:07:17.986 --> 00:07:21.189
In fact, in genesis chapter 1, verse 31, it says this, "god saw
00:07:21.189 --> 00:07:24.993
All that he had made, and it was very good indeed."
00:07:24.993 --> 00:07:28.597
When he says very good, that's our word perfect.
00:07:28.597 --> 00:07:32.200
When god saw his creation, his creation was perfect.
00:07:32.200 --> 00:07:36.638
So when god created the world, understand, it was the world
00:07:36.638 --> 00:07:40.041
You're talking about.
00:07:40.041 --> 00:07:41.443
You say, "well, if god isn't the creator of evil or tragedy or
00:07:41.443 --> 00:07:44.880
Suffering or death, then where did all of these horrible things
00:07:44.880 --> 00:07:48.049
Come from in the first place?"
00:07:48.049 --> 00:07:49.751
Well, let me sort of summarize how these things came to be.
00:07:49.751 --> 00:07:53.855
When god created the world, it was perfect.
00:07:53.855 --> 00:07:56.157
And when god created mankind, he created us in his image.
00:07:56.157 --> 00:08:00.462
He designed us in such a way where we could experience
00:08:00.462 --> 00:08:04.566
Real love.
00:08:04.566 --> 00:08:05.934
See, the bible tells us that god is love.
00:08:05.934 --> 00:08:08.069
We are created in his image.
00:08:08.069 --> 00:08:09.638
We are created by god.
00:08:09.638 --> 00:08:11.239
We are created for god.
00:08:11.239 --> 00:08:13.375
But in order for any of us to experience true love, we must
00:08:13.375 --> 00:08:16.378
First have the ability to love.
00:08:16.378 --> 00:08:18.980
Now let me explain this.
00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:20.982
The ability to love only comes from free will.
00:08:20.982 --> 00:08:26.221
Because without free will, we wouldn't have the ability to
00:08:26.221 --> 00:08:28.523
Decide to love someone or to decide not to love someone.
00:08:28.523 --> 00:08:32.360
So, if god created us without free will, you and i would
00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:36.097
Basically just be robots that were programmed to demonstrate
00:08:36.097 --> 00:08:40.201
Some fabricated form of fake love.
00:08:40.201 --> 00:08:43.872
I was thinking about that this week and i thought, you know, as
00:08:43.872 --> 00:08:46.374
A dad, that would be a really sad thing.
00:08:46.374 --> 00:08:49.544
If my kids were programmed to tell me that they love me.
00:08:49.544 --> 00:08:54.015
I mean, think about this, parents.
00:08:54.015 --> 00:08:55.617
Imagine if your kids had a draw string in their back and every
00:08:55.617 --> 00:08:58.820
Time you pulled the string they were programmed to say, "i love
00:08:58.820 --> 00:09:02.157
You, dad.
00:09:02.157 --> 00:09:03.625
I love you, dad."
00:09:03.625 --> 00:09:05.226
I mean, that'd be terrible, right?
00:09:05.226 --> 00:09:08.063
I mean, if they were programmed like that, those words, i love
00:09:08.063 --> 00:09:10.865
You, dad, wouldn't mean anything to me as a father at all.
00:09:10.865 --> 00:09:15.103
But knowing that my kids have free will, knowing that my kids
00:09:15.103 --> 00:09:18.440
Have the ability to make a decision on their own, it makes
00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:21.977
It pretty special when they choose to come snuggle up to
00:09:21.977 --> 00:09:26.414
Dad, wrap their arms around my neck, and say, "dad, i
00:09:26.414 --> 00:09:29.818
Love you."
00:09:29.818 --> 00:09:31.186
And let me tell you, that rarely happens in my life.
00:09:31.186 --> 00:09:35.156
But when it does, man, is good.
00:09:35.156 --> 00:09:39.127
Hey, true love always involves a choice.
00:09:39.127 --> 00:09:43.665
It always involves a choice.
00:09:43.665 --> 00:09:45.333
And that's why god created us the way he did.
00:09:45.333 --> 00:09:47.535
He wanted to give us a choice so that we could choose to
00:09:47.535 --> 00:09:50.705
Love him.
00:09:50.705 --> 00:09:52.140
But unfortunately--hey, we, as humans, have been making the
00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:55.477
Wrong choice for a really long time.
00:09:55.477 --> 00:09:57.812
Going all the way back to the book of genesis, you have adam
00:09:57.812 --> 00:09:59.781
And eve, they're in the garden of eden and what did they do?
00:09:59.781 --> 00:10:02.617
They made a choice.
00:10:02.617 --> 00:10:04.285
And they abused their free will by rejecting god and walking
00:10:04.285 --> 00:10:08.523
Away from god and that decision resulted in the introduction of
00:10:08.523 --> 00:10:13.895
Two kinds of evil on planet earth.
00:10:13.895 --> 00:10:16.431
In that moment, moral evil and natural evil were born.
00:10:16.431 --> 00:10:21.436
Moral evil, that's the immorality, that's the pain, the
00:10:21.436 --> 00:10:24.939
Suffering, the tragedy that you and i experience because of our
00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:28.877
Choice to be rebellious when we're selfish and arrogant and
00:10:28.877 --> 00:10:32.280
Uncaring and hateful and abusive.
00:10:32.280 --> 00:10:34.582
All of that results from moral evil.
00:10:34.582 --> 00:10:37.719
And that's what paul's talking about in romans chapter 3, verse
00:10:37.719 --> 00:10:40.388
23 when he said, "all have sinned and fall short of the
00:10:40.388 --> 00:10:43.658
Glory of god."
00:10:43.658 --> 00:10:44.993
When he said that we've sinned, he's talking about morally we
00:10:44.993 --> 00:10:47.629
Have failed.
00:10:47.629 --> 00:10:48.963
We dropped the ball, we took the wrong path, we made the wrong
00:10:48.963 --> 00:10:51.966
Decision, we walked away from god and we walked towards sin.
00:10:51.966 --> 00:10:58.039
See, we've sinned against god and we've made the wrong choice.
00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:01.042
Every single one of us today can raise our hand and say,
00:11:01.042 --> 00:11:03.311
"you know what?
00:11:03.311 --> 00:11:04.646
You're right, i have sinned against god."
00:11:04.646 --> 00:11:07.782
That's moral evil and that's what the bible talks about.
00:11:07.782 --> 00:11:10.852
It also talks about natural evil and i want you to see what
00:11:10.852 --> 00:11:14.222
Natural evil looks like.
00:11:14.222 --> 00:11:16.458
Natural evil is the things like wildfires or earthquakes or
00:11:16.458 --> 00:11:19.794
Tsunamis or tornadoes or hurricanes.
00:11:19.794 --> 00:11:23.264
We all know these things as acts of god that cause suffering
00:11:23.264 --> 00:11:26.968
For people.
00:11:26.968 --> 00:11:28.336
And i want you to realize these too are an indirect result of
00:11:28.336 --> 00:11:31.039
The sin of humanity, the sin in the world.
00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:35.176
I once heard an author put it this way.
00:11:35.176 --> 00:11:36.611
He said, "when we humans told god to shove off, he partially
00:11:36.611 --> 00:11:40.615
Honored our request.
00:11:40.615 --> 00:11:42.183
Nature began to revolt.
00:11:42.183 --> 00:11:43.685
The earth was cursed.
00:11:43.685 --> 00:11:45.153
Genetic breakdown and disease began.
00:11:45.153 --> 00:11:47.455
Pain and death became a part of the human experience."
00:11:47.455 --> 00:11:51.526
And you know what?
00:11:51.526 --> 00:11:53.361
He's right.
00:11:53.361 --> 00:11:54.729
The bible clearly says that it's because of sin that nature was
00:11:54.729 --> 00:11:58.199
Corrupted and thorns and thistles entered into the world.
00:11:58.199 --> 00:12:03.204
Romans 8, verse 22 says, "'for we know that the whole creation
00:12:03.204 --> 00:12:07.876
Has been groaning together with labor pains until now."
00:12:07.876 --> 00:12:12.714
In other words, he tells us nature longs for redemption
00:12:12.714 --> 00:12:16.217
To come.
00:12:16.217 --> 00:12:17.585
Nature longs for things to be made right.
00:12:17.585 --> 00:12:20.922
We experience these things, don't we?
00:12:20.922 --> 00:12:23.358
Listen, in this world, let me make this abundantly clear, as
00:12:23.358 --> 00:12:26.661
Long as we live, we will see moral evil in our world.
00:12:26.661 --> 00:12:31.299
As long as we live, we will see natural evil in our world.
00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:36.237
And yet, it's important for us as believers to understand that
00:12:36.237 --> 00:12:39.440
God didn't create evil.
00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:42.076
All evil results from rebellion against god.
00:12:42.076 --> 00:12:46.014
And in the same way god didn't create evil, suffering isn't
00:12:46.014 --> 00:12:50.151
Something that was created by god, either.
00:12:50.151 --> 00:12:53.021
Listen, suffering is a result of sin.
00:12:53.021 --> 00:12:55.657
We see that going all the way back to genesis chapter 3.
00:12:55.657 --> 00:12:58.893
If you've read genesis 3, you understand why it's painful to
00:12:58.893 --> 00:13:01.963
Have children, right?
00:13:01.963 --> 00:13:03.665
See, all of these things are true, but the question still
00:13:03.665 --> 00:13:06.901
Remains the same.
00:13:06.901 --> 00:13:08.570
And the question is, well, couldn't god, in all of his
00:13:08.570 --> 00:13:11.472
Glory and power and wisdom, couldn't he have just foreseen
00:13:11.472 --> 00:13:15.476
All of this before it happened and just stopped it, just shut
00:13:15.476 --> 00:13:19.247
It down?
00:13:19.247 --> 00:13:21.316
Couldn't he have made a different choice and gone in a
00:13:21.316 --> 00:13:23.518
Different direction?
00:13:23.518 --> 00:13:24.886
And the answer to that is, of course he could.
00:13:24.886 --> 00:13:27.388
Of course god could and, in fact, he did.
00:13:27.388 --> 00:13:31.025
But, that doesn't change his mind about us.
00:13:31.025 --> 00:13:33.962
It didn't change his mind about you.
00:13:33.962 --> 00:13:37.265
Think about this a little bit differently.
00:13:37.265 --> 00:13:40.501
I vividly remember, before audra and i had children, what it
00:13:40.501 --> 00:13:45.240
Was like.
00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.574
We were married for five years before we had children and so,
00:13:46.574 --> 00:13:48.877
There was a five year period of time there before we had kids
00:13:48.877 --> 00:13:52.747
Where we would simply watch other people that had kids and
00:13:52.747 --> 00:13:56.651
We would judge them.
00:13:56.651 --> 00:14:01.055
Remember that?
00:14:01.055 --> 00:14:02.557
Remember watching toddlers throw fits in restaurants while their
00:14:02.557 --> 00:14:06.327
Parents did nothing and we would look at each other like, "hey,
00:14:06.327 --> 00:14:08.596
Those parents need to get their act together," right?
00:14:08.596 --> 00:14:10.732
"show them who's boss," right?
00:14:10.732 --> 00:14:12.300
"do something, mom."
00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:14.502
I mean, we would just judge them.
00:14:14.502 --> 00:14:16.004
We would watch little kids scream at their parents and run
00:14:16.004 --> 00:14:18.039
Away and we'd be like, "no, sir, not in our house.
00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:21.009
Listen, if that's my kid, i'm whooping that kid.
00:14:21.009 --> 00:14:22.944
Straight up whooping them.
00:14:22.944 --> 00:14:24.479
Putting them in timeout for a year."
00:14:24.479 --> 00:14:26.681
But there's a season where we would say things like that and
00:14:26.681 --> 00:14:29.918
We would act like that.
00:14:29.918 --> 00:14:31.286
Like one day we are gonna be the perfect parents and we're gonna
00:14:31.286 --> 00:14:34.255
Have perfect children and our children are never gonna
00:14:34.255 --> 00:14:36.858
Mess up.
00:14:36.858 --> 00:14:38.226
And we would say that, but you know, deep down inside, we
00:14:38.226 --> 00:14:41.429
Always knew that that wouldn't be the case.
00:14:41.429 --> 00:14:43.965
We always knew, even way back then, that there was a
00:14:43.965 --> 00:14:46.634
Possibility that our kids could one day hurt us.
00:14:46.634 --> 00:14:51.506
They could disappoint us.
00:14:51.506 --> 00:14:52.840
They could walk away from us.
00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:54.776
They could make decisions that didn't honor us.
00:14:54.776 --> 00:14:56.978
We knew that there could be a day where our own children could
00:14:56.978 --> 00:14:59.480
Grow up and point their finger in our faces and say, "mom and
00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:02.717
Dad, i hate you."
00:15:02.717 --> 00:15:05.453
Even before we had kids we had that foresight.
00:15:05.453 --> 00:15:09.123
And we realized that all of these terrible things were
00:15:09.123 --> 00:15:12.026
Possibilities for us as future parents.
00:15:12.026 --> 00:15:15.463
But, you know what?
00:15:15.463 --> 00:15:17.098
Even with all that clarity, and even with all of that foresight,
00:15:17.098 --> 00:15:21.569
We still chose to have kids.
00:15:21.569 --> 00:15:24.138
You know why?
00:15:24.138 --> 00:15:25.473
It's because we also understood that there was the great
00:15:25.473 --> 00:15:28.176
Potential for tremendous joy and real love and meaningful
00:15:28.176 --> 00:15:34.082
Relationships and great moments as a family.
00:15:34.082 --> 00:15:38.453
Now, i know that analogy is far from perfect, but i want you to
00:15:38.453 --> 00:15:41.789
Try, for just a moment, to think about god and his perspective as
00:15:41.789 --> 00:15:44.892
He prepared to create mankind.
00:15:44.892 --> 00:15:48.129
Now, he undoubtedly knew that that we would rebel against him,
00:15:48.129 --> 00:15:53.001
But he also knew that many people would choose to follow
00:15:53.001 --> 00:15:56.337
Him, that many people would choose to love him and to pursue
00:15:56.337 --> 00:16:00.308
A relationship with him.
00:16:00.308 --> 00:16:01.743
He knew that many of us would spend eternity in heaven
00:16:01.743 --> 00:16:04.679
With him.
00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:06.080
And to god, it was all worth it.
00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:09.884
We were worth it.
00:16:09.884 --> 00:16:11.252
You were worth it to the point where he sent his one and only
00:16:11.252 --> 00:16:14.355
Son to this earth to experience great pain and to undergo
00:16:14.355 --> 00:16:18.659
Unimaginable suffering, even to the point of death on a cross.
00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:24.465
That's what was required to pay the price for our redemption and
00:16:24.465 --> 00:16:28.202
God was willing to step into that lane for us.
00:16:28.202 --> 00:16:31.639
So, get this today, god didn't create evil and suffering, but
00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:35.443
He does allow it and he's allowed it from the beginning
00:16:35.443 --> 00:16:39.080
Of time.
00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.415
The second thing i believe we need to understand is this:
00:16:40.415 --> 00:16:43.251
Although suffering isn't good, god can use it to
00:16:43.251 --> 00:16:46.821
Accomplish good.
00:16:46.821 --> 00:16:48.723
He can use it to accomplish good.
00:16:48.723 --> 00:16:51.259
You see, nowhere in the bible does it say that god is
00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:54.128
The author of evil or suffering, but it does say that god's
00:16:54.128 --> 00:16:58.433
Intentions are to create good things out of bad things.
00:16:58.433 --> 00:17:03.538
Romans chapter 8, verse 28 puts it this way.
00:17:03.538 --> 00:17:05.907
He said, "we know that all things work together for the
00:17:05.907 --> 00:17:08.576
Good of those who love god, who are called according to
00:17:08.576 --> 00:17:12.914
His purpose."
00:17:12.914 --> 00:17:14.415
Now we know that verse, but what you may not realize is, this is
00:17:14.415 --> 00:17:17.919
Not a promise that god makes to everyone.
00:17:17.919 --> 00:17:21.155
God does, however, make this promise to those of us who love
00:17:21.155 --> 00:17:24.192
God truly and those of us who are living for god.
00:17:24.192 --> 00:17:27.795
He tells us, "you're gonna experience suffering in this
00:17:27.795 --> 00:17:30.465
World, but never forget that i'm the one who specializes in
00:17:30.465 --> 00:17:33.801
Taking tragedies and turning them into triumphs."
00:17:33.801 --> 00:17:37.905
So, here's what god tells us in his word today.
00:17:37.905 --> 00:17:40.842
Are you ready?
00:17:40.842 --> 00:17:42.210
He says that good things will emerge from bad things if we're
00:17:42.210 --> 00:17:45.346
Committed to following him.
00:17:45.346 --> 00:17:48.015
This is a promise for those of you who love the lord.
00:17:48.015 --> 00:17:51.986
I was recently talking to my dad about that verse in romans
00:17:51.986 --> 00:17:54.655
Chapter 8 and we were just kind of discussing, really, what this
00:17:54.655 --> 00:17:58.526
Verse means for us.
00:17:58.526 --> 00:18:00.761
And in the middle of that conversation, he made
00:18:00.761 --> 00:18:02.697
A statement that kind of caught me off guard.
00:18:02.697 --> 00:18:05.166
He said something and i was like, really?
00:18:05.166 --> 00:18:06.767
What did you just say?
00:18:06.767 --> 00:18:08.402
It started off with him asking me the question, he said, "do
00:18:08.402 --> 00:18:11.739
You know the moment in my life where i felt closest to god?"
00:18:11.739 --> 00:18:14.742
I was like, "oh, this is--" "no, i have no idea, but i
00:18:14.742 --> 00:18:17.712
Wanna know."
00:18:17.712 --> 00:18:19.213
And he said, "the moment in my life where i felt closest to god
00:18:19.213 --> 00:18:23.951
Was when i was in the hospital battling throat cancer."
00:18:23.951 --> 00:18:29.891
I said, "out of all the moments in your life, that's the moment
00:18:29.891 --> 00:18:32.593
You felt closest to god?"
00:18:32.593 --> 00:18:33.961
He said, "in that little moment, that season of my life, i've
00:18:33.961 --> 00:18:36.964
Never felt closer to god than right then."
00:18:36.964 --> 00:18:40.034
And he elaborated, he said, "son, you gotta realize, i
00:18:40.034 --> 00:18:42.503
Wouldn't be the man i am today, the pastor i am today, the
00:18:42.503 --> 00:18:45.573
Husband i am today, the father i am today," he said, "i wouldn't
00:18:45.573 --> 00:18:48.709
Be the follower of jesus i am today if it wasn't for that
00:18:48.709 --> 00:18:53.147
Valley season in my story."
00:18:53.147 --> 00:18:56.751
Now, think about the power of that testimony.
00:18:56.751 --> 00:19:01.022
Nobody wants to sign up for a valley season, do they?
00:19:01.022 --> 00:19:04.325
No one here wants to sign up for throat cancer.
00:19:04.325 --> 00:19:06.260
We don't wanna volunteer for pain or suffering, and yet the
00:19:06.260 --> 00:19:11.399
Truth remains the same, that god still uses these seasons that we
00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:14.802
Avoid, these seasons that we hate in order to make us better
00:19:14.802 --> 00:19:20.441
And in order to draw us closer to christ.
00:19:20.441 --> 00:19:23.511
The bible says, "with god, good stuff still emerges from
00:19:23.511 --> 00:19:27.915
The bad stuff."
00:19:27.915 --> 00:19:29.517
The old testament gives us a great example of that in the
00:19:29.517 --> 00:19:33.754
Story of joseph.
00:19:33.754 --> 00:19:35.089
This is a guy who went through a terrible season of suffering.
00:19:35.089 --> 00:19:38.526
His brother sold him into slavery.
00:19:38.526 --> 00:19:40.661
How's that for a bad day?
00:19:40.661 --> 00:19:42.930
He was unfairly accused of a crime, he was falsely imprisoned
00:19:42.930 --> 00:19:46.534
For something that he didn't do.
00:19:46.534 --> 00:19:48.803
I think it's safe to say that this guy went through a lot.
00:19:48.803 --> 00:19:52.106
But then, finally, after 12 years, he was in a place and in
00:19:52.106 --> 00:19:55.743
A different position where he had great authority now.
00:19:55.743 --> 00:19:59.413
And that authority put him in a position where he could save the
00:19:59.413 --> 00:20:02.483
Lives of the brothers that sold him into slavery, save the lives
00:20:02.483 --> 00:20:05.586
Of his family members and many others.
00:20:05.586 --> 00:20:08.522
And it's fascinating to see what he said to his brothers in
00:20:08.522 --> 00:20:11.926
Genesis chapter 50, verse 20.
00:20:11.926 --> 00:20:13.761
He said this, "you planned evil against me.
00:20:13.761 --> 00:20:17.865
God planned it for good to bring about the present result,
00:20:17.865 --> 00:20:21.836
The survival of many people."
00:20:21.836 --> 00:20:24.905
I think all of us could probably say today, "listen, the enemy
00:20:24.905 --> 00:20:28.876
Meant this for evil, but god meant it for good."
00:20:28.876 --> 00:20:33.781
And somebody needs to hear this today.
00:20:33.781 --> 00:20:36.517
You need to hear that god's promises are still true in your
00:20:36.517 --> 00:20:39.186
Life right now.
00:20:39.186 --> 00:20:41.555
Listen, his promises are clear.
00:20:41.555 --> 00:20:45.326
And he says that he can and he will take whatever pain you're
00:20:45.326 --> 00:20:49.096
Experiencing today and he will draw something good from it.
00:20:49.096 --> 00:20:53.000
He will draw something good--you may not see it today, you may
00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:56.037
Not experience it tomorrow or the next day or the next day,
00:20:56.037 --> 00:21:00.241
But, ultimately, the bible says if you love god, if you're
00:21:00.241 --> 00:21:03.644
Living your life for god, this is a promise that applies
00:21:03.644 --> 00:21:07.381
To you.
00:21:07.381 --> 00:21:09.183
None of us most likely see suffering or pain
00:21:09.183 --> 00:21:12.953
As positive things.
00:21:12.953 --> 00:21:15.022
But when you cling to the promises of god,
00:21:15.022 --> 00:21:17.191
It may allow you to look at the pain in your life
00:21:17.191 --> 00:21:20.361
From a completely different perspective.
00:21:20.361 --> 00:21:23.998
Inaction cannot be your decision while dealing with your
00:21:23.998 --> 00:21:28.269
Pain today.
00:21:28.269 --> 00:21:29.937
Inaction leads to destruction.
00:21:29.937 --> 00:21:32.340
So, don't simply ignore it, but ask god what he's trying to
00:21:32.340 --> 00:21:35.676
Accomplish through it.
00:21:35.676 --> 00:21:37.411
Hey, no one here believes that pain is good.
00:21:37.411 --> 00:21:40.514
No one here woke up this morning pursuing a life of difficulty
00:21:40.514 --> 00:21:44.251
Or suffering.
00:21:44.251 --> 00:21:46.120
But the truth is, god sometimes uses pain and he uses suffering
00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:50.057
In our life to what?
00:21:50.057 --> 00:21:51.392
To protect us.
00:21:51.392 --> 00:21:52.760
He may be protecting you from something.
00:21:52.760 --> 00:21:55.096
Maybe it's to propel us, to move us to a different place,
00:21:55.096 --> 00:21:59.700
To cause us to go to a different destination.
00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:03.437
But, ultimately, it's to perfect us and it's to make us more like
00:22:03.437 --> 00:22:07.775
Christ, and it's to point our eyes to a day that is to come.
00:22:07.775 --> 00:22:12.780
You see, god didn't create evil and suffering, but he does
00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:15.483
Allow it.
00:22:15.483 --> 00:22:16.851
And although suffering isn't good, god can use it to
00:22:16.851 --> 00:22:19.019
Accomplish good.
00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.354
But let me give you one more thought today as we wrap
00:22:20.354 --> 00:22:23.090
This up.
00:22:23.090 --> 00:22:24.425
You ready?
00:22:24.425 --> 00:22:25.793
The bible says: a day is coming when suffering will cease and
00:22:25.793 --> 00:22:30.398
Evil will be eradicated.
00:22:30.398 --> 00:22:33.667
Somebody say amen to that.
00:22:33.667 --> 00:22:36.137
Listen, we're talking about a day that's coming.
00:22:36.137 --> 00:22:39.173
In fact, many times skeptics will say, "hey, if god has the
00:22:39.173 --> 00:22:42.109
Power to eradicate evil, if god has the power to eradicate
00:22:42.109 --> 00:22:46.414
Suffering once and for all, then why doesn't he just do it?"
00:22:46.414 --> 00:22:49.650
And the answer to that is, just because he hasn't done it
00:22:49.650 --> 00:22:52.753
Doesn't mean he won't do it.
00:22:52.753 --> 00:22:55.189
See, in the bible god promises that there is coming a day when
00:22:55.189 --> 00:22:59.627
Sickness and pain are going to be eliminated from this world.
00:22:59.627 --> 00:23:05.399
I'm talking about eliminated.
00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:08.135
In revelation 21:4 it says on that day, "he will wipe away
00:23:08.135 --> 00:23:11.639
Every tear from their eyes.
00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:13.441
Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be
00:23:13.441 --> 00:23:18.112
No more..."
00:23:18.112 --> 00:23:19.447
He said the day is coming.
00:23:19.447 --> 00:23:20.815
You know what else is going to happen on that day?
00:23:20.815 --> 00:23:23.217
People are going to be held accountable for the evil that
00:23:23.217 --> 00:23:25.853
They've committed.
00:23:25.853 --> 00:23:27.721
You may not be the judge, but he is.
00:23:27.721 --> 00:23:31.492
And he said, "there's coming a day where it's gonna be
00:23:31.492 --> 00:23:33.994
Addressed once and for all."
00:23:33.994 --> 00:23:35.796
2 corinthians 5:10 says, "for we must all appear before the
00:23:35.796 --> 00:23:39.166
Judgment seat of christ, so that each may be repaid for what he
00:23:39.166 --> 00:23:43.204
Has done in the body, whether good or evil."
00:23:43.204 --> 00:23:47.074
Paul's talking to believers here and he's telling us all, "hey,
00:23:47.074 --> 00:23:49.710
That day is coming.
00:23:49.710 --> 00:23:51.612
It's coming.
00:23:51.612 --> 00:23:53.214
It's gonna happen."
00:23:53.214 --> 00:23:55.049
In romans 14:12, he tells us the very same thing.
00:23:55.049 --> 00:23:58.452
He says, "each of us are gonna give an account of himself
00:23:58.452 --> 00:24:01.121
To god," every one of us.
00:24:01.121 --> 00:24:04.191
In other words, there's coming a day when justice is gonna be
00:24:04.191 --> 00:24:06.427
Served in a perfect way.
00:24:06.427 --> 00:24:09.697
You say, "well, jordan, then why doesn't it just happen?
00:24:09.697 --> 00:24:11.966
Why doesn't god just make it happen now?
00:24:11.966 --> 00:24:14.635
Why is he delaying?
00:24:14.635 --> 00:24:16.470
Man, if jesus is gonna come and make all things right, then why
00:24:16.470 --> 00:24:19.974
Doesn't jesus just come right now?"
00:24:19.974 --> 00:24:21.909
You know what i believe?
00:24:21.909 --> 00:24:23.410
I believe that he is delaying that day for some of us
00:24:23.410 --> 00:24:27.948
Here today.
00:24:27.948 --> 00:24:29.383
I honestly believe that.
00:24:29.383 --> 00:24:32.186
I believe he is delaying the consummation of history in
00:24:32.186 --> 00:24:37.491
Anticipation that some of you will still choose to place your
00:24:37.491 --> 00:24:40.361
Complete trust in him, some of your loved ones will choose to
00:24:40.361 --> 00:24:44.632
Love him.
00:24:44.632 --> 00:24:46.200
I believe he's waiting for you to give your life to him so that
00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:49.537
One day you too can spend eternity in heaven.
00:24:49.537 --> 00:24:52.806
Think about that.
00:24:52.806 --> 00:24:54.141
God himself delaying everything out of his great love for you.
00:24:54.141 --> 00:24:59.813
♪♪♪
00:25:00.714 --> 00:25:10.324
Pastor jordan: the words of psalm 119 serve as a gentle
00:25:10.391 --> 00:25:13.294
Reminder that god's word is like a guiding light,
00:25:13.294 --> 00:25:16.830
Illuminating our path and directing our steps.
00:25:16.830 --> 00:25:20.200
It's a daily blessing to immerse ourselves
00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:23.137
In the wisdom and the love and the truth found in god's word.
00:25:23.137 --> 00:25:26.941
When we dive into god, it's like god dives into us.
00:25:26.941 --> 00:25:30.844
And when we do that, he allows us to discover his purpose for
00:25:30.844 --> 00:25:34.381
Our lives and really gain strength that we need
00:25:34.381 --> 00:25:37.284
In order to be maximized.
00:25:37.284 --> 00:25:39.253
Hello, i'm pastor jordan easley, and i believe that dedicating
00:25:39.253 --> 00:25:42.590
Time to daily bible reading will enrich your life,
00:25:42.590 --> 00:25:46.160
Empower you with god's presence, and provide for you lasting
00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:50.564
Strength as you navigate this part of your journey.
00:25:50.564 --> 00:25:53.701
You know, i've never had someone accept a bible
00:25:53.701 --> 00:25:55.803
Reading challenge and then come back saying,
00:25:55.803 --> 00:25:57.638
I really regret reading god's word.
00:25:57.638 --> 00:26:00.074
So today, i want to extend to you that same challenge.
00:26:00.074 --> 00:26:03.410
But don't worry, i'm not only challenging you,
00:26:03.410 --> 00:26:05.913
I want to equip you.
00:26:05.913 --> 00:26:07.781
In fact, today i want to provide for you a free bible
00:26:07.781 --> 00:26:10.985
Reading plan to support your spiritual journey.
00:26:10.985 --> 00:26:14.088
This is a thoughtful crafted plan that will guide you through
00:26:14.088 --> 00:26:17.358
The entire bible in just 1 year.
00:26:17.358 --> 00:26:20.427
And if you follow this plan i will guarantee that you will not
00:26:20.427 --> 00:26:23.931
Only grow in wisdom, but also in your personal walk with jesus.
00:26:23.931 --> 00:26:28.202
To receive your free bible reading guide,
00:26:28.202 --> 00:26:30.671
Please follow the instructions on the screen, and rest assured,
00:26:30.671 --> 00:26:33.674
We will do everything we can to promptly deliver
00:26:33.674 --> 00:26:37.111
Your guide to you.
00:26:37.111 --> 00:26:38.746
Supplies are limited, so please
00:26:38.746 --> 00:26:40.547
Make sure to order your copy today so that you can benefit
00:26:40.547 --> 00:26:43.384
From this valuable resource.
00:26:43.384 --> 00:26:47.454
Hey, we never want to end our broadcast without giving you the
00:26:47.521 --> 00:26:50.190
Opportunity to know jesus as your personal lord and savior.
00:26:50.190 --> 00:26:54.294
If you'd like to make the
00:26:54.294 --> 00:26:55.663
Decision to trust jesus and want to know more about what it looks
00:26:55.663 --> 00:26:58.799
Like to follow jesus, get in touch with me right now.
00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:02.770
Follow the instructions at the bottom of the screen so that we
00:27:02.770 --> 00:27:05.372
Can pray for you and also put information
00:27:05.372 --> 00:27:07.574
In your hands right away.
00:27:07.574 --> 00:27:09.443
Today we celebrate your decision and look forward to being a part
00:27:09.443 --> 00:27:12.746
Of your personal journey of going all in with jesus christ.
00:27:12.746 --> 00:27:17.885
Female announcer: this episode of "all in"
00:27:17.951 --> 00:27:19.653
With pastor jordan easley
00:27:19.653 --> 00:27:21.021
Has been made possible
00:27:21.021 --> 00:27:22.356
By the generous support
00:27:22.356 --> 00:27:23.691
Of viewers like you.
00:27:23.691 --> 00:27:25.025
We hope today's message
00:27:25.025 --> 00:27:26.360
Encourages you as you strive to
00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.695
Live your life fully committed
00:27:27.695 --> 00:27:29.063
To jesus christ.
00:27:29.063 --> 00:27:30.731

Jordan Easley - Why Would God Allow Evil and Suffering?

June 8, 2025 | S25 E24 | 28:30

Closed captions

Share