The premeditated heinous attacks on the U.S. World Trade Centre and Pentagon that caused the death of over 5,000 innocent people have triggered the questions: Why did God, whose eyes are too pure to look upon evil, allow the wicked plotters to succeed? Why did He not thwart their plan?
The tragedy was a vivid portrayal of evil that would not be stamped out even if the perpetrators are caught and put away. Evil existed way before the world was created and will continue to grip us to the end of time. In fact, the Bible warns that "iniquity shall abound (Matt. 24:12)" in the end-time days.
From the beginning, man always had to grapple with evil. He was not alone, though, in his attempt to overcome evil. God was merciful and provided a plan of redemption. By sacrificing His Son Jesus on the cross, He "destroyed the works of the devil" (1 Jn. 3:8).
Thereafter, no other vision can better inspire man in his battle against evil. As Henry Blocher once said: "Those who share in the Kingdom hate the enemy … they penetrate to the heart of its strategy and attack the evil of evil."
As God continues to reign supreme, evil seems to rule alongside. But for God’s people, evil has been overcome and will remain a vanquished foe.
We see shreds of God’s triumph over evil even at the tragic sites in New York where God’s amazing grace and love was demonstrated through the spontaneous response of kindness by volunteers, blood donors, and humanitarian organisations.
Through this tragedy, there is now a greater urgency to resolve the Middle East conflict. Also, there is a more united international community willing to put aside ethnic, religious, cultural and political differences to fight a common enemy – terrorism.
Indeed, God has turned this tragic evil act into a blessed global spiritual awakening for His creation to turn to Him. This is reminiscent of Joseph’s words in Gen. 50:20: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done …"
Church’s Duty to Society
In society, the route evil takes usually begin in an individual’s mind as a perception against those responsible for the economically-deprived, politically-unjust and culturally-frustrated situation he is in. Over time, this seed of evil takes root and reaches into the deep recesses of the individual. Mere perception in the mind ends up as deep conviction in the heart. Left unchecked, this conviction finally explodes, viciously causing hurt and destruction to lives and property.
The church has a duty to pray for and support the authorities in their effort to stamp out evil. The apostle Paul says: "For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil … he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Rom. 13: 3–4).
Action also must be quickly taken against the evildoers as Eccl. 8:11 urges: "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."
But while the Church supports the authorities in bringing the evildoers to justice, it must remind the authorities not to act out of vengeance. For vengeance belongs to God; He will repay the evil done (Rom. 12:19). The authorities’ response to the evildoers must be redemptive rather than destructive, securing justice and protecting the innocent.
A just redemptive response will ensure controlled action and a predictable outcome that clearly displays the Kingdom principles of righteousness, peace, and love for enemies. Any response should be reform-oriented (Jn 8:3–11), encourage reparation (Ex. 22:1–2) and act as a deterrent (Deut. 21:21).
With the end-times scenario of prophetic evil unfolding before our eyes, the Church must shake off its leave-us-alone attitude and get involved. As Jeremiah urged his people before they were carried into exile: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city, to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper (Jer. 29:7)."
This is also a timely reminder for us Christians – individually as well as corporately – to repent, forgive and receive forgiveness. Being God's people of power and knowing that war is a painful necessity in a fallen world, Christian peacemakers and reconcilers need to engage in concerted prayer – for the victim’s families, authorities concerned and also the ‘enemies’ – so that peace, godliness and holiness could prevail (1 Tim. 2:2).
Now is the time for us to arise as a community of God’s people to help the authorities build confidence; to promote public debate on reconciliation between conflicting parties; and to be God’s redemptive force on earth. As John Stott once said: "God is a peacemaker. Jesus Christ is a peacemaker. So if we want to be God’s children and Christ’s disciples, we must be peacemakers too."
Shalom. |
