Natural evil - This refers to natural disasters. Natural evil is that which causes pain and suffering to humanity, but which is not due to direct human involvement. Congenital diseases, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, drought, and famine are all cases of natural evil. Moral evil – The primary focus of my sermon. There are two sources of moral evil at play in the world. There is a rebellious devil bent on destroying God’s good purpose, and a fallen humanity that manifests in human activity, like murder, physical injury, rape, robbery, embezzlement, hatred, racism, etc.
FIRST: The Causes of Moral Evil
When people, created in the image of God, choose to act in defiance of God’s law, the re-sult is moral evil. God did not create moral evil; rather God created the possibility of evil. What do I mean by that? God loves humans so much that He gives to humans the wonderful gift of freewill (i.e., the ability to decide his/her course of action. That freedom to choose creates the possibility of evil, and, consequently, the suffering that results.
God created humans in His own image, capable of having and sustaining a personal relationship with Him. But to really be in His image, they have to be capable of freely loving Him and following His will without being forced. God allows free-will for human beings to sin or do the morally right things. God allows free will be-cause He has justice and judgment and rewards for the deeds and actions of all humankind.
SECOND: The Consequences of Evil
Evil manifests itself in pride, temptations, hatred, trouble, deceit, evil plot, lies, terroristic bombings, immorality, and solidarity with evil activities. Evil is embraced in society and personal lives because there is little or no fear of God. Let’s look at innocent people being killed in what is called “soft target” shootings: school shootings, church shootings, concert shootings, movie theatre shootings, mall shootings, super-market shootings, political meeting shootings, etc. On this Memorial Day weekend, we meet to praise God for our freedoms and to memorialize those veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. But hadn’t it been for evil, there would be no wars.
Today, thousands of Memorial services are held around our country and US territories to memorialize these dead veterans. On Monday millions will visit cemeteries to honor the dead. One of the big tragedies about those we memorialize this weekend, is that they left loved ones behind who probably are still mourning their lost, which includes spouses, children, siblings, friends and colleagues. They have left many relationships damaged for life. They have left much unfinished business in their families.
THIRD: The Cure for Evil.
Why should we believe in a God who allows children to be molested and murdered, and al-lows bloody warfare in His name? Don’t blame God! The source of evil is not the devil, it is our own free will. People choose evil. The ultimate cure for evil is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the Savior of the world. People are not ethically and morally pure by nature. We need to pray believing God for evil people to receive a new heart from God.
Yes, we need to pray that the hearts of evil people may experience transformation and that they will begin to love what God loves.
Pray that they will receive a heart that fears and loves God and wants to do the things that bring honor and glory to God. We need to believe in the power of mass and personal evangelism. God has a plan to forgive hu-mans of their evil ways, but how will they hear without those who will share with them the Good News of Salvation? (Romans 6:23).
To sum it up: We are called as Christians [Soldiers of the Cross] Engage in spiritual warfare—fight against the work of evil forces; battle with evil spirits or demons that intervenes in human affairs in various ways
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness in high places (Eph.6:10-12).
Thankfully, the Lord will deal with the evil and wicked ones and set this world right—the world will study/wage wars no more (Joel 3:10; Joel 4:10).
Thankfully, the Lord embraces the righteous and provides for them a light shining in the darkness, which illuminates the path of righteousness, and He provides for his people a fountain of life.
“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus just to take Him at His word…”
Written by Rev. Dr. Peter E. Grinion, Pastor