The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 493

Chap. 29 - The Origin of Evil
To many minds the origin of sin and the reason for its existence are
a source of great perplexity. They see the work of evil, with its terrible
results of woe and desolation, and they question how all this can exist
under the sovereignty of One who is infinite in wisdom, in power, and in
love. Here is a mystery of which they find no explanation. And in their
uncertainty and doubt they are blinded to truths plainly revealed in God’s
word and essential to salvation. There are those who, in their inquiries
concerning the existence of sin, endeavor to search into that which God
has never revealed; hence they find no solution of their difficulties; and
such as are actuated by a disposition to doubt and cavil seize upon this as
an excuse for rejecting the words of Holy Writ. Others, however, fail of a
satisfactory understanding of the great problem of evil, from the fact that
tradition and misinterpretation have obscured the teaching of the Bible
concerning the character of God, the nature of His government, and the
principles of His dealing with sin.
It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason
for its existence. Yet enough may be understood concerning both the
origin and the final disposition of sin to make fully manifest the justice
and benevolence of God in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more
plainly taught in

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