Published on 04/19/2007

As we have seen this week, the Lord made us with free will so we could choose to love him and each other (Matthew 22:34-40). When we misuse our freedom, the consequences are not his fault but ours. It seems fair and just to expect him to prevent the misuse of free will when innocent people will be killed as a result. But once God starts intervening in our freedom, where should he stop?

Commentary

If we knew then what we know now, I wouldn't be writing this week about the Virginia Tech tragedy and the grace of God. This morning's New York Times reports on three events in 2005 which relate directly to Monday's horror. In that year, two students complained to authorities about the behavior of Cho Seung-Hui. Police questioned Mr. Cho and sent him to a mental health facility, but as he had done nothing criminal, no charges were filed.

Later a special justice in Virginia declared Mr. Cho mentally ill and an "imminent danger to others." And an English professor discussed her concerns about Mr. Cho with the Virginia Tech police, but nothing could be done legally. Police received no further referrals regarding Mr. Cho before Monday.

It is normal to wonder why the authorities didn't do more, to question whether or not Mr. Cho's rampage could have been prevented. But state officials have been quick to defend the university's leadership, as they could not have anticipated his murderous and suicidal actions. But God could. He sees Friday better than we can see Thursday. He knew on Sunday what would happen on Monday. Yet he did not stop it. Why?

Let's say that God should prevent malicious physical injury to innocent people. What about emotional pain caused by slander, lies, gossip? Suppose God allows the results of misused freedom when they harm only the person in question. But I want God to stop my children before they drive drunk and kill themselves, or try drugs, or cheat on a test. Once the Lord begins to intervene in human freedom, where should he stop?

Grace does not mean that God prevents the consequences of freedom. It means that he suffers them with us. We don't deserve our Father's help when we choose to violate his word and will. We don't deserve for him to share our self-inflicted pain and suffering. But grace means that your Lord feels all that you feel this morning, no matter who is at fault. And that he stands ready to redeem your pain for his glory and your good. I cannot understand such amazing grace, but I can accept it. So can you.