Join me in a thought experiment. Imagine you are God. You are getting ready to create the world, and because you are omniscient, (you know all things past and future), you realize that the people that you are getting ready to create will go bad. They will use the good things that you are going to make against you. In other words, by creating you are going to give them the weapons that they will use to destroy you. Would you still create?

God did. Why? “God is love” (1 John 4:16), and he wanted to glorify his love by exercising it on behalf of unworthy sinners.

“God is love” (1 John 4:16)

Prior to World War II, Frederick William Pitt (1859-1943) wrote a magnificent poem that captures this idea. It is titled “The Maker of the Universe.” Read it and rejoice. Marvel at God’s extravagant kindness, grace, and mercy. (Phil Keaggy has put it to music. You can listen here) .

“The Maker of the universe, as Man, for man was made a curse.

The claims of law which He had made, unto the uttermost he paid.

His holy fingers made the bough which grew the thorns that crowned His brow.

The nails that pierced His hands were mined in secret places he designed.

He made the forest whence there sprung the tree on which His body hung.

He died upon a cross of wood, yet made the hill on which it stood.

The sky that darkened o’er His head by Him above the earth was spread.

The sun that hid from Him its face by His decree was poised in space.

The spear which spilled His precious blood was tempered in the fires of God.

The grave in which His form was laid, was hewn in rocks His hands had made.

The throne on which He now appears was His from everlasting years.

But a new glory crowns his brow, And every knee to Him shall bow.”