All questions are not created equal. Those that arise from a trifling curiosity are usually quite shallow. But, questions arising from an intense search on what has been deemed an important subject - are almost always preceded by a lot of thought ... and those questions reflect that.

I recently received these questions from a website visitor: "Why didn't God just create us perfect to begin with? And how does a perfect God create imperfect beings? At the end of time, He will make us all perfect beings - those that have accepted him - so why not just do this to begin with ...?" These questions are the product of ... thought.

When God calls me to stand before Him, the forthcoming material ... may not. But, then again ... it might.

The Perfect God

The Bible declares we have a perfect Creator (Deut 32:4, Mt 5:48, and Heb 7:28). When He was by Himself, sin did not exist. "In Him there is no sin" (1Jn 3:5). This "Being" is beyond anything we can fathom. At some point, He decided to create morally sentient beings - and reveal things about Himself to those creatures. Now, let me ask you some questions. If all those creatures were perfect for eternity, how well would God actually be known? For example, we know from the Bible that God can be angered. If all was perfect around Him forever, how would that ever be exposed? How could His longsuffering, patience, empathy, mercy or justice ever be known? You already know the answer. These traits would be forever veiled.

I believe God decided to reveal aspects of His character that would only come out if there were morally accountable beings in rebellion to Him. In that setting, many complexities of his character - some subtle and some not so subtle - would be revealed for all to see.

Created Innocent ... and with the capacity to sin.

God created two orders of beings with the capacity to sin - angels and man. Had they been created perfect, they would never have sinned. They were created innocent - and then sinned. The following passages are usually understood as referencing Satan: "You were in Eden, the Garden of God ... You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created - until unrighteousness was found in you ... You were internally filled with violence and you sinned ... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty (Ezek 28:13, 15-17). "You said in your heart ... 'I will raise my throne above the stars of God ... I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isa 14:13,14). This was probably the first sin. It did not surprise God. He declares He knows "the end from the beginning" (Isa 41:21-23, 42:9, 44:6-8, 45:21, Rev 1:8, 22:13).

God made Adam in His own image (Gen 1:26,27). Initially, he was free of sin. God allowed Satan access to an innocent Adam and Eve in the Garden. If they had been perfect, they would have rebuffed Satan's advances. But, the fallen angel prevailed. With Adam's rebellion, monumental changes were ushered into this world. Here are a couple. God decided that Adam's "gift" to billions of descendants would be ... to inherit a sin nature. But, there was another "gain." Satan was granted enough dominion by God to be called, "the god of this world" (2Cor 4:4). And, he brought his legions.

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