Let's take a look at what we mean when we say that. We usually mean that something terrible has happened; like a mass shooting, (Colorado theater shooting 2012) or terrorist attacks, (2001 attacks) or persecution of Christians; (too many to count) and that these things should not happen. These all result in so many deaths that we feel could have been avoided if the evil party had been stopped. But what does that entail? What do we really expect from God? Should He use His power to stop all murder? Surely we can all see that this is the first thing we would do if we had the power.
So lets say God does that. He uses force to stop every murder. Does that mean that those people who would be kill are instead injured but survive? Is that better? Or would we say God should kill the evil person first? Or should He force us to not think evil thoughts?
If God did, and all murders ended, what would that mean for us? Would only direct murder be stopped? Or would we no longer be able to eat unhealthy foods or have bad habits, as these are also slowly killing us? Where do we draw the line? Can we even be stressed, seeing that it has a bad effect on us? Would we even be able to choose what we did, as some activities may be worse for some people than others? In the end we would only have one choice in front of us all the time. We would only be able to choose the very best choice, the one that leads to the best outcome.
But would that be choice at all? If we can only choose what is very best, do we have choice? If God started to forcibly change our minds to stop evil from occurring where could that line possibly be drawn? Where would an all knowing God draw such a line?
Thankfully, we don't need to debate that point too far. God did choose where to step in. He has chosen to give us true freewill. We can make all our own choices from beginning to end. Does this mean He doesn't care? No, not at all. He cares deeply for us and our pain that we receive from other people's bad choices and from our own.
Are we then free to do whatever we wish without fear of correction? Again, no. God will correct His children, but He will never force them to do something. He will speak with us, plead with us, and warn us. Eventually, those of us who are disobedient will be punished.
But what about those evil men of times gone past that were never punished? Well, that is another question. We assume that because we do not see the punishment of people now, they are never punished. That is the most flawed part of our human reasoning. We will be punished (or rewarded) after our lives here on Earth are done.
Conclusion
So what can we draw from this? Well, that God is good and that bad things to happen to people. That does not mean that God is the guilty party. In fact, if God did force His will upon all without mercy we would not even be able to have a discussion in this manner. God will right the scales, we just see things from a short term point of view. God will repay. Until then, He will rejoice with those who are obedient and mourn for those who are not. Let us not be disobedient. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. God is not mocked.
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