“If God is the Creator of everything, did God create sin?” It is a question many ask, especially when they are hurting. When faced with such questions my mind turns to the testimony of John the apostle (I John 1:1,2 & 5):
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes . . . and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us . . .This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.John’s passionate testimony is certainly credible. Having followed Jesus for three years–sharing meals, watching crowds and individuals ebb and flow around Him, listening as He taught them privately as well as collectively, running to keep up with the pace such a ministry entailed–the youngest of the apostles took it all in. It is recorded that of the twelve, only John was there at the foot of the Cross when Jesus died and it was John who was entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother. John surveyed the empty tomb and witnessed the ascension of Christ into heaven. Having seen so much, John’s assessment of who Jesus was boiled down to this:
God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.
I do not pretend to be any sort of theologian, but my faith tells me that if God is light and there is no trace of darkness in Him“at all,” then most certainly there is no place for sin to reside with God’s Holiness.
Much of what we do in the Counseling Room is sort out truth from lies, light from darkness and facts from feelings with the help of the Scriptures. My primary goal in helping any Client is to build up their confidence in the Sovereign Goodness of God–to firmly establish a place for them to stand. Much of building their confidence in God is in helping them to recognize God’s voice as their Shepherd by digging into the Scriptures. Here are some favorite “go to’s” we have come to savor regarding God’s Sovereign Goodness:
Psalm 139:7-12
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.I John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.Psalm 104:1-3
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind…Isaiah 30:15,16 & 18
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”Having dwelled in the depths of despair at various times in my life, I can attest to the veracity of God’s Sovereign Goodness. What I have come to appreciate during those times, is that no matter how “dark” my life may seem, it would be so much darker without the presence of God’s Light to keep me on His path. If you are in such a time, give thanks to God for the Light of His Presence. Is it enough? You bet it is!
My Dear Readers, What are some favorite Scriptures that have strengthened you with the assurance of His Sovereign Goodness? Is God the Creator of evil? I would truly love to hear from you!All to His Glory!
HisGlory SM 
I’ve been obsessing over this hymn by John Newton (penned ‘Amazing Grace’)
I Asked the Lord
I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.
‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.
I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“‘Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.
These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”
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Breathtakingly beautiful! Thanks for sharing Amy! ( :
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Thanks, Kathie. I’m dealing with a couple of ladies who are struggling with God’s goodness so this has been very helpful. I’ve put them both on to you system of journeling through Scripture and have encouraged them to start with I Peter. “Having dwelled in the depths of despair at various times in my life, I can attest to the veracity of God’s Sovereign Goodness. What I have come to appreciate during those times, is that no matter how “dark” my life may seem, it would be so much darker without the presence of God’s Light to keep me on His path. If you are in such a time, give thanks to God for the Light of His Presence. Is it enough? You bet it is!” Is spot on! I just sent this to one of the ladies. See you in about a month! Love you…
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I’m so glad to be of help Liz. Looking forward to seeing you too! ( :
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