IS GOD CRUEL?

The word cruelty is defined as 'callous indifference to, or pleasure in, causing pain and suffering'. 

Atheists and agnostics argue that the God of Scripture is 'cruel'. By labeling Him as such, they not only profess to know 'what' He has done but 'why'. If you buy into their carnal view of the Lord's temperament, you must also assume that either God doesn’t care at all about pain ... or actually enjoys watching His creatures suffer.

Unbelievers justify their atheistic beliefs by assigning an 'attitude of indifference' and/or 'sadistic pleasure' to the mind of God. They fail to understand that it is impossible for man to plumb the depths of His divine nature ...  

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Christians know that God allows and/or causes pain and suffering at times, but they do not impugn His 'goodness' just because He commits an act that appears cruel. Our finite minds may not fully comprehend God's reasoning in that moment, but He often reveals His purposes when we finally look back in hindsight. 

The Lord's actions may have been ... 

1. To deliver just punishment. God’s love is not diminished when He brings judgment upon evil people to spare those who are devoted to Him. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12 ) To allow wrongdoing to go unpunished would indeed be 'cruel' and indicate a callousness toward the innocent. 

2. To bring about a greater good (pain and suffering help transform us into the likeness of Christ). The Word of God tells us that trials and difficulties produce strength. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3) 

3. To glorify Himself - God is glorified by exhibiting His divine attributes. He is obviously honored when His love and mercy are on display, but since every aspect of His character is holy and perfect ... even His wrath and anger bring glory to Him. We can’t imagine His Majesty, so how can we call Him into question. From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. (Romans 11:36)

The Lord is not 'cruel'. If you study the Bible carefully you'll see the undying love He has for those who are His. Trust Him with everything you don’t understand because, as a child of God ... you have witnessed His faithfulness in those things you 'do' understand.