Why Would God Create Man With Love but Allow the Devil to Exist With Him?

Orthodox Christians believe that God created the world and humanity out of love and with a purpose. According to this belief, God's intention was to establish a loving relationship with humanity, allowing us to experience joy, love, fulfillment, and eternal life in His presence.

The existence of the devil and fallen angels is often understood within the context of human free will. In Christian theology, angels and humans were created with the ability to choose between good and evil. However, some angels using their free will, led by Lucifer (who became the devil), rebelled against God and chose to reject His love and authority. As a consequence, they were cast out of heaven and became adversaries to God and humanity.

God, being all-knowing and all-loving, allowed for the possibility of such rebellion because genuine love requires freedom. God did not create Lucifer as an evil being, but rather as a creature with the capacity to choose between good and evil. However, the consequences of Lucifer's rebellion resulted in his fall from grace and his transformation into the devil.

God's allowance of the devil's existence is often seen as a mystery within the context of divine providence. It is believed that God, in His wisdom, can bring about greater goods even through the existence of evil. The presence of the devil provides a testing ground for humanity, allowing us to exercise our free will and make choices that shape our character and spiritual growth. It also gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our love and loyalty to God by resisting temptation and aligning ourselves with goodness.

Additionally, God's ultimate plan is to triumph over evil and bring about the redemption and restoration of all creation. The existence of the devil is understood as temporary, and ultimately, God's victory over evil will be complete. In this understanding, God's allowance of the devil's existence is part of a larger narrative of redemption and the eventual establishment of His kingdom of love, justice, and righteousness.

Furthermore, the Christian understanding is that God does not will the damnation of any person. His desire is for all people to be saved and reconciled with Him. However, those who align themselves with evil and reject God's love and mercy ultimately choose separation from Him. Hell, therefore, is seen as the consequence of a person's rejection of God, rather than something imposed by God Himself.

God's act of creation and the existence of the devil and fallen angels are part of a larger narrative of love, free will, and spiritual growth. They provide opportunities for humans to choose God's love and to demonstrate their faith, while also allowing for the consequences of rejecting God's grace.