What is evil? There are many things that we could throw into this list. Some things are easily defined as evil, others not so much. For instance, it is easy to label abortion as evil but fail to see the evil when some police officers murder a black man. Likewise, we have no problem calling sickness evil but refuse to acknowledge the sin found in the behavior that causes the sickness as evil. Again, we will call politicians on the other side of the aisle evil but refuse to recognize the corruption in our political heroes. The prophet warned, “Woe to those that call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20 NASB). We have indeed labeled some things wrong!
What is evil? Is pain and suffering evil? Perhaps, but maybe not always. In our modern American church, we write off everything we do not want as evil. Our unfounded and unbiblical belief is that, as Christians, we will never see suffering; if we do, it is the devil and evil. Heretics have made millions by deceiving Christians with these lies. I will tell you of the Apostle Paul, who did not believe those lies for a second. He said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 NASB). We must remove the notion that everything uncomfortable for us is evil. Pain and suffering help us to grow and get stronger. This is what this walk with Christ is all about, to be made in His image (Romans 8:29). Paul went on to say, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NASB). Many Christians can quote this verse but mistakenly misuse it. Paul is not saying that nothing wrong will ever happen. He is not teaching us that since we are poor, we will become rich. He is not announcing that health will come because you are sick. While I hate to mess up your theology, we must learn the truth of Scripture. Paul teaches us that everything we go through will bring about something good. Whether it is good or bad, as we face things, God is using those things to transform us into the image of Christ. Paul continues, “For those whom He foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son...” (Romans 8:29a NASB). There is a good that will come from the “evil” that we face, Christlikeness.
Paul offers us another powerful and encouraging truth in Romans 8. While no one desires a difficult time, we can find strength in knowing that none of the evil we face “Will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39b NASB). When we face something terrible, it becomes easy to blame God or think He does not love us. However, nothing could be further from the truth. We can find peace in Christ no matter what we walk through. So, keep living for Christ, knowing He will help you face and combat the evil around you.
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
(2 Thess. 5:3 NASB)
In Christ,
Pastor Josh May
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