If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17
“Often I wondered why by the great foreseeing wisdom of God the beginning of sin was not hindered: for then, methought, all should have been well. Sin is behovable—[playeth a needful part]—; but all shall be well.
After this the Lord brought to my mind the longing that I had to Him afore. And I saw that nothing letted me but sin. And so I looked, generally, upon us all, and methought: If sin had not been, we should all have been clean and like to our Lord, as He made us.
And thus, in my folly, afore this time often I wondered why by the great foreseeing wisdom of God the beginning of sin was not letted: for then, methought, all should have been well. This stirring [of mind] was much to be forsaken, but nevertheless mourning and sorrow I made therefore, without reason and discretion.”
Julian of Norwich (c. 1342-c. 1416) in Revelations of Divine Love (Grand Rapids: CCEL, 1966), pp. 31.
In modern times, people ask the question, “If there is a God, why does He allow sin?” It seems that Julian asked the same question nearly 700 years ago.
God revealed to hear that sin is behovable and plays a needful part for all humanity.
Remember in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve knew the instructions from God and did not follow them, so they chose the path of sin. God is not the irresponsible party here. We are.
He made a way for our salvation! And sin persists to remind Julian and us of our need for God.
This gives us peace that all shall be well. We can go live, give, serve, and love generously. Why? All shall be well. God has everything sorted for us.
He delivered us from the penalty and power of sin and we can walk in new life thanks to Jesus.
Know anyone who is searching? Don’t read Middle English to them. Remind them that sin is a result of human irresponsibility. Salvation in Jesus is God’s answer.
And in Jesus, all shall be well. That’s most generous thing you can do for anyone.