Tag:

Evil

Be Courageous

by TerryLema

There was another mass shooting. This time in Lewiston, Maine. Eighteen people died at the hands of one crazed man. Sadness. Disbelief. Confusion. Abound.

The one voice that keeps repeating in my mind was that of a young girl who was injured. She was shot in the leg. She sat next to her mother as they were interviewed about their experience. After expressing her amazement that being shot was part of her life experience now, she asked a profound question, “Why do people do these things?”

Indeed, why do people do these things?

Evil is in this world. We can give it all kinds of modern definitions, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that evil is a real presence among us.

Jesus said, “You will have suffering [tribulation] in this world.” But then He did not end there. He reminded His listeners to “Be courageous!” because He had “conquered the world.” [John 16:33 HCSB]

As children of God, we do not have to be afraid. Cautious, yes. Wise, yes. But afraid, No.  Jesus has given those who have surrendered their lives to Him the ability to be courageous. He has provided the strength to face the world’s evils knowing that even if they kill this body, they cannot divert our eternal destiny from that day when we will be with Him in glory.

Thank you, LORD, for the courage to face this world’s evil. Thank you, LORD, that you have conquered the world. Amen.

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Do Not Imitate Evil

by TerryLema

Ok. I readily admit. I hate Halloween. I walk around our neighborhood and see witches and goblins and grim reapers (giant sized ones) adorning yards. It makes me cringe.

I think dress-up is fun for children (maybe adults too). But dressing our children in evil is just … well imitating evil.

John in his third letter warns the church about a man named Diotrephes. He calls him one “who loves to have first place,” one who is “slandering us with malicious words,” and one who not only “refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.” [vs9-10]

Then John immediate declares, “Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” [3John11 HCSB]

John does not want Gaius, to whom the letter is written, to act like Diotrephes. But I think the advice he gives is broad enough for us to apply it to other times and situations.

“Do not imitate what is evil.”

 The world has made evil “fun.” It dresses evil up as entertainment. It seeks to make it exciting. Or it seeks to make us think it is just a “harmless” activity. But evil is never harmless. Just ask Adam and Eve.

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Overcoming!

by TerryLema

Romans 12 – that marvelous chapter outlining our spiritual service as well as practical principles of Christian conduct ends with an admonition on how Christians are to handle a hostile world.  It tells us that we are not to repay evil for evil and we are to leave vengeance for evil perpetrated against us in the hands of Almighty God. Vengeance is His prerogative as the Great Judge of All.

I sometimes wish Paul would have left it there.  But he did not. In fact, his next thought begins with that little word, “but.”

“But, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  [Romans 12:20-21 HCSB]

If our attempts to live at peace with everyone fail and after leaving any vengeance we might desire in the hand of God, Paul commands us to go the extra mile. We are now to show unexpected kindness upon those who want to visit evil upon us.

We are to feed our enemies if they are hungry and give them something to drink if they are thirsty.  We are not to give into the temptation to meet evil with evil, but we are to confront evil with good.

Evil cannot be overcome by more evil, it simply escalates the situation further. Only good can overcome evil. God’s people have always been called to reflect God’s goodness in any and every situation. There is no way we can forget Romans 5:6-8:

“For while we were still helpless [sinners], at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” [HCSB]

While we were alienated from God, while we were His enemies, God’s ultimate goodness overcame!

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Perhaps

by TerryLema

Amos and I do not hang out much. I read through my Bible at least once a year usually, so I am familiar with Amos. It is just that the book is so heavy. God begins by declaring judgment against Israel’s neighbors. He says, “I will not relent from punishing” and lists Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, the Ammonites, and Moab. Then God adds “I will not relent from punishing” Judah and Israel.

God also gives his reasons for punishing His own people (Judah & Israel) as social and spiritual corruption which has led to apostasy.

By the time I get to the part that exhorts God’s people to seek Him that they might live, I am exhausted.  More so now as I find described in Amos much of what is happening in this present age.

The LORD, however, is a gracious God. He reminds His people that mercy is available if they turn back to Him in repentance.

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant….” [Amos 5:14-15 HCSB]

Repentance, of course, is always marked by a changed behavior.  It is not merely asking for forgiveness (although that is a necessary component), it is also making a 180-degree turnaround in our actions.  A change in attitude and actions is evidence that our repentance is sincere.

So, beloved, what should God find in us … He is quite clear … we are to love good and hate evil, we are to maintain justice for all people. Perhaps then, the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on our land.

Amen & Amen.

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