I was reading through a devotional by John Stott this morning about the ongoing conflict between good and evil which began in the Garden of Eden and will ultimately culminate at the return of Christ. Anyone who takes the time to reflect on the history of this world can clearly see the evidence of this battle. The hostility of evil against the victories of good have played out over and over before our eyes and continue to do so. The documented stories of atrocities and the valor of those that fight against them. What causes some to choose evil over good or good over evil?
In that very garden God told the snake, Satan, who was representative of the very evil rebellion against the sovereignty of God, that there would be animosity between the human race and the powers of evil. Yet, we see so many of the human race embody this evil. What did God mean? In Genesis 3:15 we read, “And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between her offspring and your offspring. He will strike your head and you will strike his heal.” Here is the first reference to the way in which the Lord is going to undo the damage that sin and rebellion has inflicted on God’s creation. This was the prophecy of the Messiah that would come in the future. The bruised heal was the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection brings with it the promise of restoration. On the other hand, the crushed head is the final judgement of God which will bring with it an eternal end to all evil.
God’s word draws a very sharp line between good and evil, holiness and sin. It’s not in a legalistic, do’s and don’t’s way but rather for us to see a beauty and perfection in the design and love he poured out in creating this world for us all to enjoy. But, for us to enjoy it as he intended, we must first get to know him. He is the essence of love and beauty and his creation, including us, is evidence of his magnificent mind. He invites us into his thoughts for mankind through the inspired Scriptures. He has made a way for us to choose good over evil. He has made a way for us to have a spiritual resurrection here and now. A new life indwelled by the Holy Spirit. It won’t be a sin-free life here and now but a life prone toward his beautifully ordered design for us rather than the self-autonomy we inherited in the garden. Clearly, this self-autonomy hasn’t been working out so well.
I guess the question arises, “How long are we going to flirt with sin?” Do we think we can somehow straddle the fence and we’ll be safe? If we drop down on one side or the other, then we have made a decision. That thought can actually cripple many. But, the truth is, staying on the fence actually is a decision. As John Stott states, “We must never come to terms with evil…it is only through the destruction of evil that true peace is attained.” Staying on the fence is a compromise. It is coming to terms with evil by not taking a stand against it. A little compromise here and there and before long evil is not really all that evil. The edges get rounded out and the harshness is smoothed over.
The culmination of all things will come when Christ returns. That fence will collapse and if we are still there straddling, we will fall on the side where our hearts have been leaning. That sharp line will no longer be crossable. The conflict will be completely and forever over. God will crush the head of the evil one and all who have come to terms with his ways. He has been a crafty enemy described in Scripture this way, “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Cor. 4:3-4). This glorious Savior chose to willingly go to the cross so we could have a choice. He is the Good News.
“But, when the Son of Man comes in his glory, all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:31-34)
Do you want to enter in? Then its time to get off that fence…come, see and experience his splendor.