Bible Question:

If God made Adam and Eve in His image, why was there a flaw in them that caused all of us to suffer? I understand free will. I don't understand a God of such power doing this.

Bible Answer:

First, Adam and Eve did not have a flaw, unless one believes that the ability to make independent decisions is a flaw. Unfortunately, Adam made a bad decision and brought sin into our world. God created Adam and Eve with the ability to make decisions. Why did God give us the freedom to make decisions? Genesis 1:26 gives us the answer. God wanted us to be like Him in some ways.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness . . .” Genesis 1:26 (NASB)

Even though we are not God, we have the ability to think and make decisions. We have emotions and a will. We are not puppets.

Your parents gave you freedom to make certain decisions. Did you ever disappoint them? Did you ever make a bad decision and did you suffer in some way for your bad decision? Does the fact that you made a bad decision and suffered for it reflect on your parents? If so, should they have denied you freedoms or assumed more control over your life? Then how would you feel about your parents? Most likely you would complain about that. Most of us would. Or, how would you feel if you did not have the ability to make any choices at all? The truth is, God made the correct decision by allowing us to make decisions and Adam made a wrong one. We cannot escape that fact. Otherwise, we would complain that God did not give us the freedom to choose. We would accuse Him of not being fair. God cannot win. Someone will always complain!

Conclusion:

God knows that we need help. We need our sins forgiven. God knows that we cannot be perfect. That is why Jesus Christ came and physically died for our sins and returned to life. You can have your sins forgiven and have God’s blessing on your life because Jesus did that. All that you need to do is ask Him to forgive your sins. Jesus Christ is our God, our Creator, and our Savior from sins. If you are interested in knowing more, please read “Searching for God.“

Suggested Links:

Searching for God
Who was God talking to in Gen. 1:26?
What is God's image?
After Sin is Removed, Will We Have Free Will in Heaven?