Be a Superhero

Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

(Romans 12:21)

The evils of this world are like the waters of a rising flood; powerful, dangerous and seemingly unstoppable. Evil surrounds us; it’s everywhere. The vast majority of the people of this world have succumbed to the evil that’s all around them. For most of my adult life I was counted in that number. I bought into the lie that there is no such thing as good and evil. I paid no attention to the warnings from believers about the consequences of my behavior.

I thought sex, porn, drugs and alcohol, stealing, lying and a whole host of other things were not really evil because everybody else was doing them. It was easier to be like everyone else. I did what they did because I became desensitized to what is evil. This world offers up a whole list of ways to fall into sinful behavior but if we resist by doing what is good we have won the battle. You cannot just sit around and not do evil things. That creates a void that, eventually, will be refilled with more evil things. You have to fill that void with good deeds.

At first, resisting was difficult because giving up my former life, my friends and most everything I believed in, required faith in something I couldn’t even see or touch. Richard Rohr is quoted as saying, "Faith is so rare–and religion so common–because no one wants to live between first base and second base.  Faith is the in-between space where you’re not sure you’ll make it to second base.  You’ve let go of one thing and haven’t yet latched onto another.  Most of us choose the security of first base."

For some time, I was stuck on first base.’ I would still be there had I not trusted in the Lord and what he promises in his Word. My choices to do what is good are much easier to make now. I’m not perfect, nor will I ever be but at least now, I know the difference between the truth from the lies that most of society believes. Jesus loves me and since he is as good as it gets, I want to be as much like him as I’m able.

A verse and prayer for the day: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(John 3:18)

Father God, you have set your plan for our salvation in place. Now it’s totally up to us if we choose to believe or not. Your plan was in motion from the foundation of time, from the very beginning. Some, Father, will choose to turn their backs on Jesus because of all the violence on the Earth. They will blame you for allowing evil humans to exist. Little do they know, if you have to destroy some evil, you have to destroy all evil, including them. Father soften their hearts and make them receptive to listen. Give us the words they need to hear to drop their defenses and turn to you. We know that whoever dies without the saving grace of Jesus, is condemned. We thank you that the opposite is also true. Because we believe, we will not be condemned. Let us always do whatever is right and pleasing in your eyes. Give us a heart like Jesus, who willingly laid down his life for all. In his precious name, we pray. Amen!