It is a laudable question; not unlike others that Christians will ask as we strive to live for the Glory of God. Our heart’s desire is to fulfill the command of Jesus; to share the Good News with the rest of the world. He also instructed us, by Word and Example, to live within the world during our time, not apart from it.
For this question, a simple truth is evident. Bin Laden can no longer lead his minions to carry out his twisted evil. Bin Laden’s disciples will no longer yearn for a Bin Laden style “atta-boy” for planning or executing unspeakable evil against people.
Osama Bin Laden was never anything more than a man; one lost to the whispers of the cunning serpent we know to be Satan. Bin Laden’s death does not mark the end of evil. It certainly does not mark the end of terrorism, or the threat of continued attacks on Americans and Jews.
His death is notable, but without grand overtones of historic victory as was the case for the defeat of Nazi Germany or the surrender of the Empire of Japan. We note Bin Laden’s destruction because of his devotion to an evil that has no sense of country, no national cause. The evil of Bin Laden lies deeper, closer to the heart of the master of deception. Bin Laden’s evil is tied to the devil’s hatred of God’s chosen people, and those who have embraced the victory of Jesus Christ over sin.
To live in the world, not apart from it, means that we engage fully as members of the world. Not embracing or excusing sin, but as members of the human community. If we as Christians behave like cloistered hermit crabs, out of fear that we may appear to be ordinary humans, then in essence we have simply put a different face on living apart from the world.
What about standing up to evil in the world? If we appear to set ourselves on the sidelines merely as spectators, pre-approved slogans at the ready, then how can we approach those with whom we hope to share God’s gift of forgiveness and reconciliation? We are changed, but not yet ascended. Until then, no matter how much we strive to mirror the perfection of the earthly life of Jesus, we will continue to be human just like our neighbors.
Jesus did not ignore evil when he encountered it. He did not turn away from the man possessed by the demon legion. On the contrary, Jesus stood up to the evil, confronted it, and he cast the demons out of the man. He could have said, behold, this man is tormented by evil, but when I fulfill my destiny such will be overcome. No, he took a stand and defeated the evil right there on the spot.
Do you suppose the amazed Disciples who witnessed this did not express themselves? More likely, the equivalent of the High-Five back then was likely passed around freely. In fact, whenever Jesus did something astonishing, I am willing to bet that their facial expressions were always something other than stoic.
Abortion has killed tens of millions of unborn children, but for some reason, Christians can barely discuss the issue in churches today. Abortion is pure unadulterated evil and it occurs thousands of times every single day. It is uncomfortable for many to stand on the street during special days, and hold Pro-Life placards.
Christians do not shout against the evil slaughter for fear of being too controversial in the community. It seems to me, that because the mission of Christians is to share the Gospel, anything else should be left to the fringe to deal with. Perhaps those less gifted at sharing the Gospel should be the ones to stand and call evil by name.
So how does this jive with living in the world? I don’t believe that it squares up well at all. Where there is evil against people, we should all confront it at every opportunity. When we are victorious (when God is victorious) in defeating a standing evil, then we should shout for joy and give all Praise and Glory to Almighty God, and be utterly glad that the evil no longer stands.
Surely we can celebrate life and cheer Goodness when good triumphs over evil. That does not change the fact that we are willing and eager to share the Grace of God, the Counsel of the Holy Spirit, and Our Savior Jesus Christ, who has written our names in the Book of Life.
Copyright ©2011 by Phil Harris
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