All the Good Stuff

The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,

The world and those who dwell therein. 

—Psalm 24:1

Not one created thing on God's good, green earth is evil, for God cannot be the author of evil. Creation is esthetically and ethically  “good,” to use Moses’ precise word (Genesis 1,2). Paul says the same thing: "Everything created by God is good...." (1Timothy 4:4).r

But what of evil? Evil exists, but not as a thing in itself. Evil is an aberration, a corruption of every good thing. Satan cannot create anything, even evil. He can only blight and ruin what God has made. (It must be said that we, when we blight and ruin creation, fall into Satan’s hands.) 

No, God created everything in the universe for our delight. He filled the earth with pleasure, adventure, fun, joy and laughter. Creation is ours to savor. Paul agrees: "All things are yours to enjoy" (1 Corinthians 3:22). 

So… Go for It! Go big! But always stay close to God. He’s where all the good stuff comes from (Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:1).

David Roper

8.3.17