In 1 John 1:5, God is described as having no darkness at all. How do we reconcile a perfectly good deity with the evil and suffering observed in the world? God’s Perfect Light and the Reality of Evil 1 John 1:5 states, “And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” This crucial declaration underscores the absolute moral purity of God—He embodies complete goodness, untainted by any form of evil. Yet many ask how this can be reconciled with the undeniable presence of suffering, wrongdoing, and darkness in the world. The following sections explore key dimensions of this question and offer a thorough perspective. 1. The Nature of God’s Goodness God’s goodness is expressed throughout Scripture, affirming that His character is entirely loving and without flaw. Numerous biblical passages emphasize this quality. For instance, Psalm 145:9 says, “The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.” Such verses present a consistent message: God’s being is wholly righteous, and His intentions are purely benevolent. Since “God is Light” (1 John 1:5) and Light represents purity, guidance, and truth, it follows that there is no possibility of darkness—no moral defect—residing in Him. This goodness extends to His creation, as seen in Genesis 1:31: “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” Evil and suffering, therefore, were not part of the original design. 2. The Existence of Evil and Human Freedom The Scriptures indicate that humans were created with genuine moral responsibility. From the start, God gave humanity free will, placing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with a specific command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16–17). Free will is a profound gift, allowing for genuine love and obedience, yet it also opens the door to disobedience. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, sin and suffering intruded into a once-perfect world (Genesis 3). This disobedience introduced moral and natural evils that reverberate through history. Romans 5:12 affirms, “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” Therefore, the presence of evil in the world can be traced back to humanity’s misuse of freedom, not to a flaw in God’s character. 3. The Role of a Fallen Creation Following humanity’s fall, creation also fell under a curse (Genesis 3:17–19). Romans 8:22 underscores, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.” Disease, disasters, and the natural evils we witness constitute the consequences of this fallen state. Though scientifically observable, these realities fit within a worldview that merges both spiritual and physical dimensions. Geological and historical data, viewed through a scriptural framework, testify to a world that has been marred by sin and is moving toward ultimate redemption. This is consistent with an understanding that God originally designed the earth for good, but that moral transgression disrupted His intended order. 4. Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency The Bible teaches that God remains in control, sovereign over all (Isaiah 46:9–10). Simultaneously, humans can choose actions contrary to His goodness—in part, explaining why evil persists. The reality of human decisions, both individual and collective, helps account for the world’s suffering and injustice. God’s sovereignty does not nullify human freedom; rather, it assures that He will ultimately work all events, even evil ones, into His perfect plan. Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20 to his brothers illustrate this principle: “You intended evil against me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 5. Biblical Responses to Suffering Throughout Scripture, faithful individuals grapple with suffering while affirming God’s goodness. The book of Job offers an extensive dialogue on this very matter. Job never receives a full philosophical explanation for his trials; instead, he encounters God’s sovereign presence. This teaches that, though we may not fully comprehend every instance of suffering, we can trust God’s ultimate wisdom and moral perfection. Additionally, the Psalms provide many examples of lament, showing that it is biblically permissible to cry out in grief or confusion. Those laments end with a reaffirmation of God’s faithfulness, demonstrating the honest journey from questioning to renewed trust in a perfectly good God. 6. The Necessity of Redemption Scripture’s central narrative reveals that the antidote to evil and suffering is the work of the Messiah. John 3:17 explains, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ stand as the ultimate demonstration of God’s goodness and love, offering humanity salvation despite our fallen condition. The historical resurrection of Christ—that He physically rose from the dead—gives hope that God’s power ultimately triumphs over sin, suffering, and even death. As seen in extrabiblical historical references (such as Tacitus and Josephus) and early manuscripts consistently preserved through centuries, there is compelling support for the reliability of the resurrection accounts. The resurrection signals that evil and suffering will not have the final word. 7. Restoration and the Promise of a New Creation The ultimate reconciliation of God’s goodness with the existence of evil is found in the promise that He will one day resolve all wrongs. Revelation 21:4 promises, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” In this coming new creation, God’s perfect goodness and humanity’s experience of oppression, pain, and suffering will be fully resolved in a restored world. Several archaeological and historical wonders—for instance, unearthed sites verifying details about biblical figures, empires, and events—reinforce Scripture’s reliability. This offers confidence that the prophetic vision of a renewed creation will be fulfilled precisely as God has promised. 8. Trusting in the Light When faced with questions of evil and suffering, 1 John 1:5 reminds believers and seekers of God’s unblemished holiness. Though tragedy and darkness persist, the reality of free will, humanity’s fall, and the sure hope of restoration provide a robust framework for understanding why suffering exists and what God has done to address it. Faith in the God who is Light rests on the assurance that His goodness is unimpeachable and that He daily works to bring about redemption for those who turn to Him. This understanding reconciles the seeming contradiction between a perfect God and an imperfect world: we live amid the fallout of human choices, but we serve a God who redeems and promises ultimate victory over evil. Conclusion In 1 John 1:5, we encounter the foundational truth that God’s nature is entirely free of darkness. Though evil and suffering blemish creation, they are rooted in humanity’s departure from God’s perfect design, not in any deficiency within God’s character. Scripture consistently points to a divine rescue plan culminating in Christ’s resurrection, guaranteeing God’s triumph over all forms of darkness. Through faith, one finds clarity in the face of suffering; and through Christ, one discovers redemption and renewal. |
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