Post Hoc Ergo Proptor Hoc

There is a Latin phrase “Post Hoc Ergo Proptor Hoc” that means “after this, because of this,” or “what is happening is the result of what has happened.” That pretty much sums up why there is sin in the world and why people get hurt.

The answer lies in both our greatest blessing and our worst curse: our capacity to make choices. God has given us a free will. Made in God's image, He has given us the freedom to decide how we will act and the ability to make moral choices. This is one asset that sets us apart from animals, but it also is the source of so much pain in our world. People, and that includes all of us, often make selfish, self-centered and evil choices. Whenever that happens, people get hurt.

Sin is ultimately selfishness. I want to do what I want, not what God tells me to do. Unfortunately, sin always hurts others, not just ourselves.

God could have eliminated all evil from our world by simply removing our ability to choose it. He could have made us puppets on strings that He pulls. By taking away our ability to choose it, evil would vanish. But God doesn't want us to be puppets. He wants to be loved and obeyed by creatures who voluntarily choose to do so. Love is not genuine if there is no other option.

The Bible explains the root of evil: "This is the crisis we're in: God's light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness ... because they were not really interested in pleasing God" (John 3:19, Message Translation). We're far more interested in pleasing ourselves.

In a world of free choices, God's will is rarely done! Doing our own will is much more common. Instead of blaming God when hurts come into your life, blame the real source—this world and the evil one who rules it.

In heaven, God's will is done perfectly. That's why there is no sorrow, pain or evil there. But this is earth, a fallen, imperfect place. We must choose to do God's will every day. It isn't automatic. This is why Jesus told us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

There are many other questions that race through our minds during dark days. But the answers will not come from economists, politicians, or anyone else for that matter. We must look to God and His Word.

We were made for a relationship with God, but He waits for us to choose Him. He is ready to comfort, guide and direct us through our grief. But it's your choice.