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.

No One is Righteous

"There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one." -Romans 3:10-11 from Psalm 14

There is a concept that we must understand to fully understand the Gospel of God. This concept has guided Paul's argument from Romans 1:18 and will see it through until 3:20. The concept I am referring to is a concept of who we are before God. Paul has taken his time in showing that we are all without excuse. God has made himself knowable through creation and everyone is accountable for pursuing truth. He has shown that the unbeliever is guilty as well as, the Jewish people for not seeking God. He will in this final passage of his first argument turn to show that the legalist and moralist are also guilty and therefore without excuse.

Everyone that does not seek after truth but rather pursues their own selfish end is deserving of God's justice. That justice comes in the form of a word that western culture has no palette for; judgement. Whether we are fond of the concept or not, Paul is clear that judgment will come and when it does we will all be deserving of God's wrath. 

We are all the same at this moment we are all:

Morally evil: Genesis 8:21; Luke 11:11-13; John 3:19

Spiritually sick: Matthew 9:12

Slaves to sin: John 8:34; Romans 6:16&20; 2 Timothy 2:26

Blinded to truth: 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:18; Matthew 5:8

Lovers of darkness: Ephesians 5:8; John 3:20

Children of wrath: James 4:4; Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:12

Spiritually, Physically, and Eternally dead: Ephesians 5:14; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23

This is not the way that contemporary culture would say that God sees us. That is precisely the point Paul has so painstakingly made. Most church members would not describe their relationship with God in such ways. The truth is that in Romans 1:18-3:20 and in the testimony of Scripture as a whole if you come face to face with God then you will die! 

This begs the question, "What about Jesus Christ?" 

I am glad you asked. Paul will turn to the work of Jesus and explain justification in 3:21-5:21.

Look up, hope is here!