The Answer To Evil
Philosopher David Hume popularized the question: "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then from whence comes evil?"
His question is: if God is both able and willing to prevent evil, why do we still have evil in the world?
The answer is simple, once you understand your situation
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20
The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. - Psalm 34:16
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. - 1 Corinthians 10:21
Scripture makes it plain God hates evil... and He will end evil. So, why do we still have evil in the world? Because God loves you.
You won't like the answer... the problem is that you are evil. If God ended evil right now, that would also end you.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. - Romans 5:10
I didn't become a true follower of Jesus until I was 49 years old. I had faithfully attended church as a child. In college I spent many late nights studying and talking about god and religion, believing that all paths led to god. After college I traveled and received letters from friends urging me to accept Christ as my Savior. I wrote back, telling them I was okay. I was a Christian. But, I wasn't. I was religious. I read the Bible (and a lot of other books.) But, I wasn't a Christian. I thought I was a Christian, but I was an enemy of Christ. You may be in the same condition.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, together they are corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. - Psalm 14:1b-3
But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone." - Mark 10:18
No one is good, not even you. So if God ended evil right now, if you are not trusting the true Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone, to save you from hell (the wrath of God) you'll be in the lake of fire the moment God ends all evil. You say you don't believe in hell? It doesn't matter. What you believe has no effect on reality. If God ends evil, and you are not trusting Jesus, you are instantly in the pit.
God does not end evil because He is waiting for people to turn to Him... waiting for more people to trust in Jesus Christ and be saved from eternal separation from God.
And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told that they were to rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters who were to be killed even as they had been, was completed also. - Revelation 6:11
Because of His love, God has not ended evil... yet. His love has not yet reached its fullness. There are more people to be saved. God desires to end evil, and God has the power and authority to end evil. But, He is also patient. When the time comes, and there is no one left who will be saved, then He will end all evil. Once Jesus has saved all whom He will save, He will return and judge all those who have not placed their trust in Him.
What is the answer to evil? It is ALWAYS JESUS.
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit - John 15:1-2
Jesus is using an agricultural metaphor. He is the vine and the Father is the caretaker of the vine. There are two types of branches.
#1 Those branches which bear fruit, meaning true believers.
"Fruit" refers to disciples of Jesus. These are branches that are producing new fruit.
#2 Those branches which do not bear fruit, meaning false believers... these represent false Christians. They look like they are part of the vine, but they are dead. Their lack of fruit indicates genuine salvation never took place.
Jesus then says:
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. - John 15:8-10
Jesus's followers are expected to proclaim the gospel and, as a result, make disciples. This fruit demonstrates we are true believers.