OVERCOME EVIL
Must we constantly pick sides? Must we be labeled either Republican or Democrat, for or against every issue of life or the public square? Don’t get me wrong; there are causes I would fight for, die for, live for. But how easily I become what I fight against!
When I think of the idealistic revolutionaries throughout history, whose opposition truly was tyrannical, how tragically frequent did they themselves become the oppressors once in power. Is there a way to fight evil without becoming it?
In “The Pastor’s Wife,” Jewish-Christian Sabina Wurmbrand describes life in Romania, first under the Nazi steel boots, and then under the totalitarian regime brought by their Communist “liberators.” When the hunters become the hunted, she hides from the now cowering left-over Nazis, caring for the very people who sent her family to their deaths in concentration camps.
Later, free after years behind barbed wire (Sabina served three years, Richard fourteen), she and her husband receive their torturers as guests in their home. I cannot imagine their internal turmoil, as they transcend their own profound suffering, extend forgiveness, and introduce Love Himself to these former agents of unrestrained hatred.
When I think of our last election, friendships torn to shreds in the us-against-them battles on Facebook and elsewhere, I fear we might have lost more than the Wurmbrands did in prison. Facing the gruesome abyss of brainwashed souls, where creative torture becomes a passion, they chose a Love that lays itself down to rescue an enemy. The Love that rescued them – and me.
I treasure real affection for people from all walks of life with all kinds of worldviews – some actively fighting against my own, actively attacking the God I adore. Should I join the battles of smart remarks online? Reading Sabina’s book again, resolve is steeling my heart: I will not fight eternal souls over temporary issues, no matter what. I will fight FOR them on behalf of their Maker. In words, ascribed to Einstein, “The rest are details.”
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3)
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
