THE BIG FIGHT “Jesus said to the man, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home’”. Mk 2:11 CEV We often wonder, and sometimes argue, about what the primary focus of the Christian community should be. It seems to be challenged on many fronts. Should it concentrate on combating social evils? Or should it mind its own business and just look after the people who are believers? Or should it confine itself to being “fishers of men”, making evangelism its primary task? Maybe limiting itself to simple acts of kindness would help everyone? The story of the healing of the paralytic man shows up the diversified nature of evil. The illness was a manifestation of evil since it marred the man’s full participation in human life. But then there were the sins he had committed and upon which Jesus pronounced forgiveness. Then there was the evil of the entrenched religious authorities and all the antagonism with Jesus that this provoked. It indicates that evil is multi-pronged, that it is strong, cunning and vicious. To make any impact on any front is almost too enormous a task for any human agency. One of the notes the New Testament writers are not afraid to strike is that of antagonism. Evil is not a minor irritation there. Nor is it a comical idea that is a relic from the thought forms of bygone centuries. God and evil are engaged in battle. It is war between light and darkness, health and sickness, truth and falsehood, sin and salvation. That war still rages. We are involved in it night and day in greater and lesser ways. Only the kingdom work of Jesus in our hearts and consciences can equip us for the struggle. Fight the good fight! PRAYER THOUGHT Lord, strengthen me for the conflict with evil.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 07:34:59 +0000
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