Evil in Our World

I am stunned, and I am deeply grieving. It’s hard for me to imagine that anyone wouldn’t be the same today.

Of all the places we go, church seems to be the safest and happiest place we can be. I often say that I want every child who attends my church to be able to know they are loved, safe, and protected.

All of that has changed. Today, we are all part of First Baptist Church Sutherland Springs,Texas.

Yesterday I heard a psychologist who said everyone attributes this to mental illness. He disagreed. He said we are underestimating evil.

I agree with him.

In times like these I go back to the words of Jesus found in Matthew 10–11.

In that passage Jesus prepared His followers for what they would find in the world.

Here are some of the statements he made to his disciples. He spoke these words first to the twelve, but they are given for us as well. Last year around the world over 100,000 followers of Christ were martyred.

How did Jesus prepare us for what we have faced and are facing?

First, He taught us to be realistic. We have to know and accept that we have been sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). This means we must accept the reality in which we live. It is an evil world that hated Jesus and hates His followers. It’s no time to be naïve.

Second, we must be people who act wisely and kindly.. Jesus told us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves“ (Matthew 10:16).

This means we look at the world realistically and are not naïve. It means that we recognize who we are and where we are and respond accordingly, but we also respond with the love and kindness of Christ Himself. While we deal with evil, we don’t harm others or act wickedly.

Third, we treat everyone with love, kindness, and respect. This is our calling in the world. We cannot overcome the world with evil, anger, or revenge; we can only overcome evil with the good of Christ that is in us.

Finally, we must believe and live the promise of Jesus. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:31).

Let us live in our difficult and evil world in the promise of His eternal blessing.

Many people are hurting today. If you think this post would be helpful, would you please share a link with others?

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2 Responses

  1. It is sad, but Ken Paxton, one of our elected officials, said those with concealed handgun licenses need to be carrying at church. I know a youth minister who carried until enough of his youth workers carried so he felt the kids were safe without him having to carry. Our regional Baptist Association has a program in place to work with churches in order to help them know how to respond if a shooter comes on the grounds. Jesus turned the other cheek before His accusers, but when it came to protecting those needing the help He was anything but meek. I don’t have answers and I am grieving along with so many other Christians; but we do need to be asking ourselves what would we do if a killer comes here.

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