Naming evil

The conviction of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been received with jubilant celebration by many of his former subjects this week. At the same time, there has been a mixed reaction to the sentence handed down, death by hanging. No-one appears to question that his rule was cruel and unjust. But some individuals and agencies have expressed concern as to whether his trial has been fair and unbiased. Those who suffered or lost relatives during his reign were seeking to expose what had been hidden. The heart of the trial has been an attempt to uncover the truth and name the evils which took place under his leadership.

Naming evil is a first step to overcoming it. Jesus Christ confronted evil wherever he met it. Some times it was in the political and religious structures of his society. The scribes and Pharisees (religious leaders), and King Herod and Pontius Pilate (political leaders) were challenged by Jesus. He not only spoke the truth, he lived it out and embodied it. To those seeking the freedom that truth brings he offered hope. To those who refused to change he was a threat.

On one occasion, he encountered a man whose life was controlled by evil spirits. The local people didn’t know how to help him. So, they had chained him up in a cemetery on the edge of their village. They tried to deny or ignore the evil in their midst. But when Jesus came to their village this is what happened:

"Then Jesus demanded, ‘What is your name?’ And he replied, ‘My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.’ Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.” (Mark 5:9-10)

He named the evil present in the man and then dealt with it. The man was set free by the words and works of Jesus. The locals couldn’t cope with what he’d done. They asked him to leave town because he challenged them to look at the evil in their lives as well.

In contrast, high profile American evangelical pastor Ted Haggard has resigned this week amidst charges of sexual immorality. He is reported to have thanked God for the person who exposed his sin and urged his church to pray for him. He sees the naming of the evil in his life as the first step towards healing and restoration.

Who helps you to be honest about the sins with which you struggle? Are you open to Jesus “naming the evil” in your life and in our society so that it loses its power?

Finding meaning

One of the deepest questions in life is, “Why am I here?” Without a clear answer people can become depressed or even reach the point of thinking that life isn’t worth living. Following Jesus Christ helps us to find God’s intended meaning and purpose for our lives. He said to his first followers,

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. [15] If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. [16] Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16 Msg)

Following Jesus means being like salt that “brings out the God-flavours of this earth”. Salt adds flavour to food. Being a “salty” person means living as God’s person in a way that adds God’s flavour to life. We may not be aware of the difference that we are making to others, but people notice it. Salt also makes us thirsty and a person who is reflecting genuine godliness causes others to be spiritually thirsty. I received a telephone call from a person like that some years ago. She had been observing the positive and peaceful example of a Christian lady who was in a Playgroup with her. When she rang she said, “I can see that she has a peace in her life that I don’t have. Can you come and talk to me about how I can become a Christian?”

Following Jesus means being like light, “bringing out the God-colours in the world”. Watching a movie in colour is such a different experience to watching it in black and white. Jesus says that when we follow him we experience life in full and vibrant colour. We can also help others to see the depth and dimension of life as a result of this. But he offers a word of challenge and warning. He says don’t hide your light under a bucket. This happens when we become ashamed and embarrassed about our faith. We may simply be silent or we may be two-faced, presenting one image to some people and another image to others.

Jesus finishes his point by saying,

“Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven”.

Are you living a life which is open to God and open to other people?