Wh So Long?

Why has God allowed humans to have their own way for so long? Why has he allowed suffering to exist all these many centuries? One vital reason is that a very important issue was raised: "Who has the right to rule? Should God be the ruler of humans, or can they rule themselves successfully apart from him?

Humans were created with free will, that is, with the ability to choose. They were not made like robots or like animals, who are guided mainly by instinct. So humans can choose whom they will serve. (Deuteronomy 30:19; 2 Corinthians 3:17) Thus, God's Word counsels: " Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God." (1Peter 2:16) However, while humans have the wonderful gift of free choice, they must accept the consequences of their choice of action.

Our first parents made the wrong choice. They chose the course of independence from God. True, God could have put the first rebellious pair to death immediately after they misused their free will. Buy that would not have settled the question regarding God's right to rule over humans. Since the first pair wanted independence from God, the question must be answered: Could that course result in a happy successful life? The only way to find out was to let out first parents and their offspring to go their own way, since that was their choice. Time would demonstrate whether humans were created to be successful in ruling themselves independent of their Creator.

The Bible writer Jeremiah knew what the result would be. Directed by God's powerful holy spirit, or active force, he truthfully wrote: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. Correct me, O Jehovah." (Jeremiah 10:23, 24) He knew that humans must have the guidance of God's heavenly wisdom. Why? Simply because God did not create humans to be successful apart from his guidance.

The results of thousands fo years of human rule show beyond any doubt that it is not in humans to direct their own affairs apart from their Creator. Having tried it, they have only themselves to blame for the catastrophic results. The Bible makes this clear: " The Rock [God], perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom their is no injustice; righteous and upright is he. They have acted ruinously on their own part; they are not his children, the defect is their own way." - Deuteronomy 32:4, 5.


Continued- Next time: God Soon To Intervene