If you are looking for a real-life example of the truth of Romans 8:28 (“All things work together for those who love God”) just read the news that keeps rolling out of South Carolina. The racially motivated murder of nine deeply committed Christians has produced a resurrection of hope. One hate-filled tragedy has now resulted in a multitude of good. To wit:
- South Carolina, historically one of the most bitterly divided states along racial lines, has been brought together by what can only be described as a religious revival. The outpouring of support for the grieving families and Emanuel AME church, where their loved ones were attending a Bible study when they were shot to death, has gone a long way toward healing some very old wounds.
- The white supremacist movement has been exposed, humiliated, and driven to the narrowest of cultural margins. The public outrage over Dylann Roof’s attempt to start a “race war” has driven a stake in organized racism.
- Leading state politicians of both major parties are calling for the removal (finally!) of the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds. As the murderer’s conspicuous exhibition of the flag makes clear, it strains credibility to say that the stars and bars only represent pride in Southern culture. It is a shameful symbol of America’s original sin, and its removal from any official status anywhere is long overdue.
- The grieving families, just by giving voice to the amazing grace that is possible only through Jesus Christ, have provided a powerful witness to the gospel that, at least for the moment, overshadows the institutional problems that have dulled the churches’ public witness in recent decades. The whole nation is talking about the power – the miracle – of forgiveness. Nothing is more central to the Christian message.
Don’t mistake my words for naive optimism. I know the kingdom is not yet fulfilled. But it cannot be denied that out of this awful tragedy has come unqualified good. We have witnessed, even participated in, one bloody skirmish in the cosmic battle for the universe, and the victor is not in doubt. The unadulterated evil of last Wednesday has been turned back upon itself and dealt a fatal blow. Evil loses. Love wins. It always does, even if it takes awhile.
Thanks be to God!
©2015 by J. Mark Lawson
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