The End of Evil?

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:2

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:21  

Chapter 12 is the conclusion to the delivery and victory through Christ, for individuals and the whole of creation described in chapter 8. Because of the Jewish audience, a pause was required for Paul to explain how these "age to come" events were possible through the cross. Paul then turns to describe how the New heavens and New earth that will be a part of the "age to come" will change the responsibility and the identity of those that are a part of the kingdom here and now. 

I will pause here for a comment on the Gospel. One of the most tragic things that could be done to the Gospel involves the book of Romans. It specifically involves verses 10:8-10. In view of the progress of the argument of the book of Romans as a whole we have already seen that chapters 9-10 is an excursion to Paul's primary objective. 

Also, chapter 10 is addressed to a Jewish audience (10:1-4). Yet the Gospel is regularly presented by churches and pastors using these verses as if Paul is saying all you need is to believe "Jesus lived, died, and lived again." I guess this would be true if you are presenting the Gospel to a Jewish audience, but if you are not, then the better presentation of the Gospel is found in chapters 8&12. Paul, in these chapters presents a message of hope and of peace. Not just for us as individuals but as a creation. God will make his creation good once again and he will start with you, will you join him in his efforts?

This is the culmination of Paul's larger argument. God is just! He will bring justice to the earth. God will make things that were at one time good, good once again. Not only will he do this in the future but he will begin here and now, giving a small glimpse of what that is to look like. I could enter an excursion of how the church has often and unfortunately missed this important point. We have spiritualized heaven to the point that many of our partitioners and pastors have created  a "new Gnosticism." But I do not have the space for that.

So, how do we answer the question? What is the end of evil? The answer is forgiveness. I can hear the sighs of, "I thought there was an answer." It doesn't fit our view of justice. We want payback. We want punishment. Forgiveness is the answer, both now and for the age to come. This is where these verses are so key. In 12:2, Paul is bringing his earlier argument full circle. It is a changing of our minds from the way we would want evil to be dealt with. The cross demands that we change the way we deal with evil. This is an act of sacrifice (12:1), forgiveness always is. A sacrifice of both parties involved. If you want punishment and payback then you must accept it for yourself, as well. God has provided forgiveness for us and we can do the same for others. The second verse, 12:21, states that by forgiving others we can change their minds (the meaning of the cryptic, heap burning coals) and overcome evil. In light of recent world events, of which, some are still ongoing, it makes me wonder, are we responding properly to attacks against us? Could a more Christian response been more effective, even of confronting the wrongs? We must find and give forgiveness if we want to see an end to evil.

Payback does not overcome evil, it only continues the impact of that evil on others.

The call for punishment only reveals my own arrogance and pride (not to mention hypocrisy).

My charge, my call, is to forgive. Only then will peace come.

This is the closest thing to heaven on earth that we can see.