Forgiving evil among us
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
Post a Comment
- •
Favorite- •
My wife, Vicki, will tell you she hates Halloween. As children, we all grew up loving Halloween and trick-or-treating. Then, one dark night 35 years ago, Ronald Clark O'Bryan of Deer Park, murdered his 8-year-old son by lacing his trick-or-treat candy with cyanide to collect a $40,000 insurance policy. Since that day, Vicki changed her feeling about this celebration.
Tim O'Bryan's death earned his father the nickname "The Man Who Killed Halloween." With his wife testifying for the prosecution, he was convicted and sentenced to death. Even the other convicts hated the "Candy Man," as they called him, who was executed in 1984.
While most of us don't believe in ghosts and gremlins, this children's fun day was celebrated by most kids. After that day, few children go trick-or-treating, because we do believe in criminals. Instead, churches and other groups have set up a safer environment for our costumed kids with parties and festivals.
We are always aware that evil is ever present in our society. Even so-called religious people commit evil deeds in the name of their god, Christians included. In Mel Gibson's film about the "Passion," there was an attractive, ever-present appearance of evil.
God created a perfect world without evil and suffering. Genesis 1:31 says, "God saw all that He had made and behold it was all good."
Ever since Adam and Eve, a sinful nature has been passed on to all who are born. That is why you don't have to teach kids how to be bad. You have to teach them how to be good. They know how to lie, you have to teach them to be honest. We all have that sinful nature. Children learn to love by being loved, and learn goodness by watching good people.
No one knows why wars, crime, cruelty, suicide bombings, hurricanes or poverty exists. We don't know why children die or evil men fly airplanes into buildings. We just know these things happen.
But God took the worst thing that ever happened in history and turned it into something good. Through His innocent Son's death, all men were provided a way of forgiveness for their sins. His Son's sacrificial death provides a way for all who receive Him. God has provided salvation for His creation.
If our great God can do that with the brutal execution of His Son, can't He also do that with the evil and suffering in your own life? He can provide strength or comfort when you need it, in the face of evil and suffering. We can face these things, and even death, knowing the ultimate victory is ours. Amen.
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2Cor 7:10)
Charles Placker is a licensed minister who contributes columns to the Victoria Advocate.
