"Imagine All the People"

We complain about the persistent sins and injustices in this world. We blame God for the wrongdoing and evil things that happen at the hands of other men. At first glance it appears to be a viable criticism. If God is supposedly all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowledgeable, why doesn’t he intervene when his supposed “children” suffer the injustices of this world? There are a few directions we could go with this but in the same spirit of John Lennon, let’s “Imagine” for a moment a world where such evil, sinful tendencies didn’t exist.

In order for this “imagined” world to exist, the current freedoms allowing a man to pursue evil, sinful things could not exist. Therefore this very same freedom that also allows a man to pursue righteousness and great things; setting himself apart from the masses and leaving a legacy that lasts for generations, could not exist. We often forget that choice is what allows men to freely pursue endeavors that afford him the opportunities to be distinguished, great, legends, heroes, set apart, etc.; all things we naturally want whether we pursue them for evil or good or realistically speaking, pursue anything at all. If we didn’t have the opportunity to distinguish ourselves from the masses or if we were all perfect clones of one another inhabiting the characteristics of a righteous God there would be no distinction; no individuality. Basically put, the lack of distinction would steal any opportunity for greatness or hope of being set apart. Yes, it would solve the issues of injustice, war, poverty, abuse, wrong doing; all of which would no doubt be a beautiful, beautiful thing. But wouldn’t this world without distinction then lead to a world lacking any substance? Substance including the things pursued but not yet attained; goals strived for but not yet accomplished; the pursuit of goodness and kindness; opportunities to bless and be blessed; the joy of seeing progress and change; pursuing love and seeing this love grow even in the midst of brokenness; experiencing the power of forgivness; appreciation for good things; appreciation for anything.  Why do you appreciate good food or good sex?  Because you've tasted the opposite; the bad and broken side of both.

Could these things exist if there was no evil? If these substantive things didn’t exist, what would be the purpose? If there is no purpose, wouldn’t our existence be absolutely pointless?

I have a feeling if the model were different and we were all clones of a loving God in action, we would somehow find a way to blame him for not giving us the freedom or the opportunity to be distinguished or set apart. Do we contradict ourselves when we demand freedom while at the same time praying that all people would inhabit the righteous characteristics of God? It seems to me that you can’t have both.

I guess I have trouble “imagining” what this world would look like. Even though we expect heaven to be this way, our attendance or absence there ultimately begins with the choice to accept Christ and spend eternity in his presence or not; again, beginning with the freedom to choose.

So as I read through my thoughts, I’m left with this summarized view of the existence of sin:

A world without sin is a world without choice.
A world without choice is a world without freedom.
A world without freedom is a world with no distinction.
A world with no distinction is a world with no greatness.
A world with no greatness is a world with no substance.
A world with no substance is a world with no purpose.
A world with no purpose is pointless.