My daughter stunned me. People ask, "Why did God allow the Fall and evil?" as though the existence of evil disproves the existence of God. The typical answer is a rather vague, "God has a higher purpose."
My daughter asked, "Do you think what God does for us in salvation is greater than what Adam and Eve had before the Fall?" The thought process behind that question is profound! I'll draw out some of the details.
Before, the Fall, we were merely God's creatures. Made in God's image, yes, but still creatures, earthly. From Adam's and Eve's perfection flowed no logical need for improvement. As Adam and Eve were created, that is all we would ever be: creatures.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24
In John 12:24, Jesus spoke primarily of His own impending death, yet in verses 25 and 26, He clearly applied the principle to His followers. The principle applies not only to individuals, but also to humankind.
Namely, our death in Adam created the need for a re-creation that opened a path to our becoming something greater than mere creatures.
Through our death in Adam and our rebirth in Christ, God transforms us into His sons and joint heirs with Christ. He makes our final state more glorious now and more rewarding for us in heaven; as well as more glorifying to, and enjoyable for, Himself
Thus, we have the higher purpose that motivated God to permit, and even ordain, such ultimate evils as the Fall and the murder of God the Son. Evil in the world is not evidence of no god; but rather, is evidence of a higher purpose, and therefore, evidence of God Himself.
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