February 22, 2019 -- Genesis 6:5 -- Is there such a thing as evil? A wicked question

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:5 ESV

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.  These are what defile a person.

Matthew 15:18-19a ESV

Is evil a reality? Strange question, isn’t it? Yesterday afternoon I was listening to a program on CBC Radio where Dr. Julia Shaw was discussing her book: “Evil: the Science Behind Humanity’s Dark Side.” She argues that evil is all culturally relative. She herself does not even like to use the word ‘evil’. What a load of dreck that is. Romans 1 tells us that people are seeking to become wise [without Him, Who teaches knowledge and wisdom], and in so doing they go deeper and deeper into folly, abandoning the very reason God has given them.

The Bible is very clear. God made Adam and Eve to be without sin. In the Garden of Eden they rebelled against Him and ate of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. Every single person is a sinner. Every single person is descended from Adam and Eve and bears their guilt and increases his or her own guilt by their words, actions and inaction. The heart is churning with evil thoughts, the mind figures out ways to implement evil and the tongue is like a fire setting off huge conflagrations of trouble and conflict. The greatest evil is for a man or a woman is to say there is no god. It is the deny their own existence, for God made us in His image. God sustains us by His power nanosecond by nanosecond. God has given us an awareness of Himself and to deny God is to suppress the testimony of creation, the witness of the Bible, the Glory of Jesus Christ and the prick of one’s own conscience.

The only Person Who ever lived and was completely without sin: Jesus Christ. He was born of the virgin Mary. She was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, so that Jesus’ human nature was supernaturally kept perfect and Jesus the Very Son of God His divinity was joined to humanity. Jesus lived in this world full of sin, steeped in wickedness and violence and He Himself fully served God. Jesus kept Himself from sin and consistently did the good that was required of Him so that in all things He alone acted in perfect obedience to the will of His Father in heaven.

Is there such a thing as evil? Oh yes!

Is victory over evil possible? Oh yes! In Jesus Christ, those who believe in Him are a new creation, the old nature and stronghold of sin pass away and new life takes hold. Christians begin to hate evil more and more. Christians long for the beauty of Christ to fill their thoughts, words and be the impetus for all their actions. They fail. They confess. They read the Word and fervently pray for the Spirit of God to renew them and empower them in holy living until that great and glorious day they shall see Him face to face.

Is there a time when evil will fully and finally be ended? Oh yes! Jesus is returning soon. He is bringing all His holy angels with Him. All people, living and dead, shall be assembled before His throne. Jesus will separate all people: those who heard His voice and obeyed Him will be rewarded with life everlasting in His glorious presence. Those who heard His voice, saw His splendour in creation and rejected the Lord of Life will be punished in hell. They will be punished for suppressing the truth they know now: God is real!

What should we do now? In response of Jesus’ call which is stirring your heart now: repent of your sin. Turn away from sin and turn to Jesus. Obey Him. Read the Word. Find Christians to walk with, talk with, and grow with so that Christ will be your vision and joy.

Father of Splendor and Wisdom, thank You for the glory of creation which declares Your divine attributes, Your wisdom and the reality that all things depend on You. In this day, if there are people in my circle of family or friends who are hearing Your voice, and are being stirred by Your Spirit to respond to You, give them the will and the mercy they need to learn more about and become obedient to Jesus Christ. Father of Heaven, let Your Spirit so rule Your people that we will welcome sinners fleeing from the wreckage of their past and who find refuge in Jesus. Let our welcome be generous and abundant. Spirit of God, make us an army that moves forward on our knees in prayer, asking the very things for which Scripture promises will bring You honour and bring salvation to Your beloved ones. Amen.