The Problem of Evil- Part Five

Romans 8:12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Imagine if you will two prostitutes. Both of them on the same day meet men that they want to share the rest of their lives with. The first one continues to sell herself at night to whoever is buying. She tells her friends that she is getting married to the man of her dreams and they laugh at her and scoff because she is still selling herself to the highest bidder. They do not believe her because her actions do not reflect her words. The second one immediately begins to dress modestly and seeks out an occupation that is respectable. She still struggles with the desires for money that led to prostitution but she is standing on the promise. She knows that she has met the man of her dreams and she wants nothing more in the world than to be with him. Her friends look at her and long for a bridegroom to come along and change their lives in such a drastic manner.

You very well may have been asking yourself (if you have been following along) why I chose this particular text to go with a series of posts about the problem of evil. A friend of mine has been discussing the problem of evil with an atheist friend of his. The problem of evil is very real. The most common way to phrase the question is why is there so much evil in the world? Another way to phrase it (as I have pointed out) is why is there evil within me?

The lingering question that perhaps is not evident is why is there evil within the church? If we have an obligation to live by the spirit, then why are we not doing that? If we are sons of God, then why are we living like we belong to Satan? I am not talking about legalism here, but living by the Spirit. When we mess up we should not be defiant, but repentant.

When an atheist looks at the church, they do not see the bride of Christ dressed in white awaiting the Bridegroom. They see people just like themselves that struggle with the same issues. You see, when we claim to have been changed by Christ and live a life that is no different, we slander the name of Christ and tarnish the image of the bride. We are the first prostitute. It is no wonder that the skeptic points at the church and scoffs.

Now I would like for you to imagine what the church would be like if we were like the second prostitute. Imagine if Christ was no longer our security fire blanket, but instead a radical life changing presence in our lives. Imagine if we all revisited the cross every day as a reminder of the price that was paid on our behalf. I can’t help but wonder if this would change the opinion of the skeptic.

Think about it.