The one question asked by sceptics and unbelievers about God is this:
If there is an all powerful, loving, God why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?

The implication is that if a good and all powerful God exists then He should stop all evil in the world.

Let us first define evil. To the questioner it is hurting others, either emotionally or physically. It is behaviour that is depraved or wicked. Some common examples would be murder, rape, child abuse, stealing or lying.

Now lets decide whether we want God to stop all evil or just some of it?

If we say, well just some of it then people would still question "Why is there evil in the world?".

Now lets say that God is sitting in heaven and he sees that someone is about to commit a murder. God would have to stop him. He might interfere somehow to distract him or he might have give him a sudden heart attack or something.

And if someone was going to steal from someone's house? God would have to stop that burglar/thief too.

Someone telling lies would have to be stopped too.

Now, lets suppose some thought evil. Wouldnt God have to step in then too, because it is from our thoughts that our deeds arise?

The situation then is that no one is allowed the freedom to think for themselves. We would then be programmed to be only good.

So, as you read this, you are saying to yourself, well this is silly now. Well, no it isnt. God has to be consistent. At what level does God allow evil to exist? Murder? Stealing? Thinking?

Evil is in this world because mankind, you and me, allow it to be.

Couldnt God just make us all perfect.?
He did. In the beginning he made a perfect world, he rested on the seventh day and looked and His creation and said "It is good".

Within that creation was a perfect angel called Satan, who sinned and turned against God. he made a perfect man called Adam and a perfect woman called Eve. They both sinned.

God never intended foe evil to reign. but since it does He will use it for His purposes and bring good from it.

How so?
Well consider Jesus. He suffered at the hands of evil men who murdered him and made him suffer on the Cross.

Yet God has used that evil and brought good from it.

It was on the cross that Jesus died for OUR evil so that God can forgive us. (This is a whole different subject and will no doubt be dealt with in a separate article).

Consider the example of Joseph in the Old Testament. He was sold into slavery by his brothers. Though they meant it for evil, God used it for good (Genesis 50:20).

God is so great that nothing happens that doesn't fit into His bigger and wider plans for mankind, you and me.

In His plan He is able to use for good what man intends for evil. God is in control.

God made us for a purpose, a purpose we don't fully know or understand, but He does.