The Greek word apologia means "to give a reasoned defense for what you believe to be true." It is used 19 times in the new Testament. 1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified) is one such instance.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully"

We, as followers of Christ, are mandated to defend our faith in every area. This section is dedicated to answering the questions of many as to the authenticity of our faith as Christians. Though it will not give detailed answers, it will attempt to convey some core truths about Christianity.

Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?

The word of God says, there is none who are innocent, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Bible says we have all sinned along with Adam, our forefather, since we were all contained in him, in seed form, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Hence we are all born sinners. This is not unfair as some would think, but Adam’s representation of the entire human race is purely God’s grace and mercy as explained in the article “What is Original Sin?”

Suffering and death came into the world when sin entered in. To this day man has increasingly continued to sin against God, bringing untold suffering to others and deterioration to the universe; for these are the consequences of sin. But God in His infinite mercy did not leave us alone in our sins to suffer and die, but sent His only begotten son to die and pay the penalty for our sins that we may inherit eternal life. (John 3:16). Salvation is a free gift. For those who are not saved and have not put their trust in the Lord, the Word of God says they will be judged for their sins in the end, but until then there is grace. God is deliberately allowing this time for people to repent and receive His free gift of salvation, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9), and during this period of grace, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”(Matthew 5:45). During this period of grace God continues to care for those who do not believe. He gave the wisdom and knowledge to man to develop great enterprises which created jobs so all could be provided for. He established legal and justice systems to protect victims; and He has birthed hospitals, doctors, and nurses in all nations for the sick. Thus lack, suffering, pain, and death are greatly constrained on earth by the Spirit of God during the dispensation of Grace. The Word of God records in (2 Thess 2:7) “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back (The Holy Spirit) will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” The Holy Spirit is presently constraining the evil one and when He is taken out of the way at the rapture of the saints, then evil will reign in full force and horrific suffering will result for those who are not in Christ.

We who are saved and washed by the blood of Jesus are no longer under the curse of sin and death, but we oftentimes suffer also because of the sin that is all around us. We are no longer of this world, but we are in this fallen world and sin will affect us. However, the Word of God promises that it will not overcome us. God’s plan is such that those who receive Him during this grace period continue to live out their physical lives in this world until God brings an end to all sin at the appointed time. However, He has not left us powerless, but has given us everything we need to live for Him and to overcome all evil – “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3). He has given us the power to stand in the midst of all suffering and to overcome in the end – His Holy Spirit. We are filled with His unfailing love, joy unspeakable, and great inner peace which is not of the world and does not depend on our outward situations and circumstances. Such is the victory we have in this life, with the promise of eternal life in heaven where there is no sin, death, suffering, and pain.

For the times that God allows us to undergo trials and tribulations which often bring great suffering and pain, know that He is using both the time and the suffering to work it out for our good (Romans 8:28). We, from our finite human perspectives cannot see this. We live in time and have only a miniscule view of what God is doing at any one point in time. We only know His perfect will and plan in part if at all. We do not have the full picture and will often not understand what He is doing until we have already undergone the painful trial, and maybe not even then. When Job questioned the reasons for His suffering, the Lord responded with

"Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone-
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy? ( Job 38:2-7)

The Lord is indicating that we cannot understand His ways even should He choose to reveal them to us for our view is very limited compared to the One who has no beginning and no end. Job, at the end of His great trial, was restored into a much greater glory.

We who know the Lord’s omniscience, omnipotence, love, mercy, and grace, must trust in Him knowing all will be revealed when we get to Heaven. In reality God could be using our suffering to bring about a mighty good for us as well as many others around us and the universe at large for generations to come, but we cannot see it. This is illustrated somewhat by the story of Joseph. He did not and could not possibly understand what God had planned and purposed when He was being persecuted by his own brothers and thrown into pit, only to end up in prison and remain there for many years. However, at the end He could say to his brothers with complete forgiveness in the assurance of his faith, “it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (Genesis 45:5). Paul’s many sufferings and imprisonments must have been totally unbearable many times, but it was during those times that He wrote many of the New Testament epistles which now guide and teach over a billion people on the doctrine of Christ and the Christian life: salvation, grace, and life in the Spirit.

The Lord told us to expect these painful trials. Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). Peter records “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12).

He also told us why He allows it -- to refine and perfect our faith. “These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (2 Cor 1:4); and he told us how they will in no wise compare to the glory awaiting us, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18); so we must agree with Paul when He says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2); because after we have overcome, we know that we are now able to minister to and comfort others as He has comforted us in our troubles “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.(2 Cor 1:4); and after we have endured to the end, He promises we will receive the crown of life. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

In all sufferings we must trust God knowing that He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He knows our beginning and our end, and He works all things (good and evil) for our good. His plan is perfect and His character is flawless. If we hope and trust in Him only, we will not be disappointed.