Written by Evi Idoghor
How many of you have ever had this thought, If I was God? Or, if you're like me, a Nigerian, that statement wouldn't be complete without an eh at the end. When we hear about certain events, sometimes we mutter the phrase if I was God, followed by I will do such and such. I will put an end to crime, end world hunger, eradicate poverty, make everybody rich, and effectively deal with climate change. It's as if we have a better solution to all of the world's problems than God has already provided through Christ Jesus.
I've been one of those; we can't always control our thoughts. One day, I was speaking with my niece's grandmother after she had read about some kidnapping cases in Nigeria on the news. “If I was God,” she said, “I would have sent lions to eat those kidnappers since!” I burst out laughing because her thoughts were eerily similar to mine. Yes, our intentions might be good; wanting to end human suffering is admirable. But we must also keep in mind that we are a part of the problem we are witnessing today. Before you raise your brows, hear me out...
If we want God to rain down fire and brimstone from heaven to destroy evil men, we must admit that we, too, are sinners. The lie we tell, the gossip we spread, withholding wages from our employees, withholding the gospel, turning a blind eye when we see someone in need, running away from family members who need help when we can easily offer it, the attitude problem, fornication, adultery, pornography....all of these are sins deserving of punishment from the Holy God.
“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19
If He acted the way we want Him to, there would be no one left on the planet, except He chooses to preserve a few, because we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). In order to encourage those who are burdened by evil in this world, the bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
I like how the passage says God is patient with you. It is all-inclusive; it makes no distinctions between people or the various types of sins that all mankind commits. No one is exempt from repentance, and God does not take pleasure in the death of a wicked person (Ezekiel 33:11). That is how good our God is. While it is admirable to want to rid the world of evil and evil people, keep in mind that God is the only just One who can judge justly and is patient with each of us.
So, before you put on your superhero cape and think you can do a better job than the Creator, remember that you are either a sinner in desperate need of a Savior, or you were once a sinner who the Savior has delivered from a sinful lifestyle. As a result, the prayer should be for others to come to know Christ—it is those who do not know God who commit such heinous crimes.
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