Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (James 1:13)

God Always Seeks Our Good

The character of God demands that men see everything God does is for the benefit of humankind. When God put Adam and Eve in the garden, He provided all they needed for happiness and fulfillment. In the days of the Patriarchs, God instructed men how to find Him and worship Him. Under the Law of Moses, the nation of Israel was promised innumerable blessings if they would obey. The greatest provision given by the Father was the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Sin came into the world because man believed God did not give him all he needed. Satan convinced Eve that God was unfair and unjust, prohibiting the forbidden fruit. The reason Eve took the fruit is because she believed God had withheld all she needed. Acting on her pride, the woman took of the fruit and gave it to Adam. When they went beyond the word of God, they immediately knew shame and fear and hid from God. The sadness in God’s heart was that with all he had given them, Adam and Eve demanded more.

God has always sought the good of His creation. Temptation comes from the lusts of the heart when men turn their hearts away from the bounty of God’s love. Sin brings its own destruction. Because of their rebellion, Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden without the Tree of Life. Eternal life could only be given in the garden, where God provided all things good. Disobedience to the will of the Lord brought about consequences. Pain, suffering, sorrow, and trials come about because of sin. God did not abandon man but provided the best of all things so humanity could find its way back to the Lord.

Jesus Christ is the answer to how a man finds God. There is no greater gift. Salvation is given by the grace of God to redeem sinful man. The consequences of sin come from the actions of humanity, not God. Temptation does not come from God because sin comes from the evil one. No man can blame God for sin or temptation because the Lord cannot be tempted by evil. When men suffer, they realize their sorrow to their own shame. It is man who is to blame for falling prey to temptation. God does not and will not tempt anyone.

Everything God does is for the good of humankind. The sun rises on the just and the unjust, and rain falls on the land of the righteous and the unrighteous. Life is given by the hand of God to all people in all nations, regardless of who they are. The word of God has always been given to man to show him the way to the Father. No man can stand before God and blame the Divine for not knowing the word of God. The evidence of the Creator is clearly seen in the invisible attributes of the world and then through the written word. Contained within the Bible is everything a man needs to know to be saved.

God is a merciful, compassionate Father who does not want anyone to perish. He longs for His creation to seek Him and obey him. Everything God does is for the good of man, but that day will come to an end. Salvation is found in the now because a day is coming when the Father will no longer be the Savior but the judge. In the day God becomes the judge, He will announce to the unrighteous they are condemned. The sentence of eternal punishment is because of the sin of man, and no man will blame God. All the condemned will know the righteous judgment of God and that punishment is just. The redeemed will enjoy the pleasures of eternal glory prepared by a loving Father to those who obey Him. God seeks your good. Obey Him and receive His goodness.