WATCHWORD:
On that day many will say to me, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7: 22-24
You have heard it said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but i say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-48
But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Meditation:
Are You Evil?
One Sunday, a few years ago, our pastor asked us if we were evil people. Evil people! That’s what she said. Then she went on to say that she was evil more often than she cared to admit. This was surprising coming from our pastor, because my idea of evil is a person who commits heinous crimes.
For several years after Pentecost, the apostle Matthew preached in a church in Ethiopia. And parts of his gospel address issues in his congregation which were complicated because he had both gentile and Jewish converts, who, generally, had a missionary mindset that viewed persecution as a divine discipline. They believed that Jesus had abolished the law instead of fulfilling it. Consequently, they had become very relaxed morally and generally disobedient to the laws of God. “I can do anything I want because God forgives.”
The congregation was wealthy, and so, materialism and secularism had resulted in Christians hating other Christians and a general lovelessness which resulted in a lack of generosity, and an unwillingness to forgive, resulting in Christians causing the spiritual ruin of other Christians. It does not sound like the kind of welcoming congregation that I would want to be a part of. How about you?
Matthew sternly warns the people of the judgment to come, that in the end, those who are evil will be thrown in the fire. Matthew was trying to scare the hell out of the people, literally. How does that translate into how we live our lives? Does that make us hesitate in our answer to the question; are we evil people?
In today’s current state of affairs, who knows what moral living means? What if I don’t have enough money to give away and I’m too busy to volunteer, does that make me bad? An evil person? I may think that most of the time I forgive but, have you said this, have you thought this: Let me tell you, there is one situation that I will never forgive, nor will I ever forget – Oops! I’m sure God will understand. Really? Jesus was serious when he said love your enemies. Return good for evil. And all that other stuff. I’ve heard it said that a little religion is a good thing, but don’t get carried away. Is that how we think?
Unfortunately, it seems to be our nature to try to justify ourselves when Jesus already justified us! We are saved by grace, it is true. But we are saved out of death into a life of service to our God. That means we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit each day and follow wherever the Spirit leads us. I don’t think the Holy Spirit will lead us into evil.
So, are you evil? Quite to the contrary, when God looks at you and me, he sees the righteousness of Christ. What a great God we have! Be intentional in how you follow Christ, don’t ever take his reign in your life lightly! God’s reign leads to life at its fullest. Amen.
Our God Reigns:
1 How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
Who brings good news, good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God reigns; our God reigns!
2 He had no stately form; He had no majesty,
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised, and we took no account of Him,
Yet now He reigns with the Most High. [Refrain]
3 Out of the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so – see here His hands, His feet, His side.
Yes, we know He is alive. [Refrain]
Refrain:
Our God reigns! our God reigns!
Our God reigns! our God reigns!
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Father, I seek Your protection from the wickedness of the evil one. You are the Almighty God, and his power doesn’t stand a chance to the might You yield. I come to Your refuge with joy for You shelter me against the attack of the devil. Protect me, O Lord, from the craftiness of the enemy, and save me from his evil plots. Cover me with Your presence when I feel weak so that he will flee from my presence. Amen.
