Overcome Evil With Good

As we approach the ills of our society, it is important that we are grounded in the principle that we can overcome evil with good. 1st Peter 3 reinforces that notion:
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

If we collectively were to apply those two verses, what a transformation it could bring about in our society - the Bible has provided for us sound wisdom in dealing with the conflicts and tensions that we encounter in our culture.  Christians are called to be in unity; however, we allow Satan to divide us, and that renders us ineffective.  We become hardened in our hearts rather than heartened to do the will of God.  We are called to be courteous and to bless people.  What a great opportunity and responsibility we have to shine Christ's light and encourage people to walk in it.

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How do we deal with evil in a civilized society? The Bible teaches that evil is overcome by good. Here are some words from Romans 12:
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Post and Courier newspaper website described the setting of the horrific event that transpired on Wednesday night in the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston:

The tragedy unfolded on a hot, steamy night after about a dozen clergy and church members gathered for a regular Bible study and prayer service. They met in the basement, a ground-level floor beneath the sanctuary that housed the pastor’s office and other rooms.

They studied Mark 4 16:20. [sic] “Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy ...”

A young white man, not part of the congregation, came in around 8:15 p.m. and sat down quietly. He stayed for 40 to 50 minutes as the session continued.

“But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away ...”

Suddenly, the young man rose, uttered remarks that betrayed his contempt for blacks and opened fire with a gun.

A female trustee, who hid under a table, was among the survivors. The gunman told her he would let her live so that she could tell the story of what happened. Two other survivors, including a young girl, played dead, church members said.

After a church faced an attack, THE church throughout Charleston responded.  Another Post and Courier article traced the spiritual response.   It stated:

Bursts of loud applause punctuated Thursday’s midday prayer vigil honoring the nine victims of Charleston’s first modern mass shooting. Heartfelt praise and loud singing characterized the evening vigil at Royal Missionary Baptist Church. And at Second Presbyterian Church, worshippers filled the pews for a somber prayer service before marching with tears and flowers to a memorial at the shooting site.

The slayings at the historic Emanuel AME Church reverberated across the metro area prompting thousands to pay their respects and pray for healing.

The largest of the special services, held at Morris Brown AME Church in the heat of the afternoon, drew church officials, politicians and civic leaders who issued calls for unity in the face of evil and emphasized the role of the church in fostering healing.

At the Morris Brown service,  the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Richard Bryant, senior bishop of the AME Church, spoke of the resiliency of the faithful. He said, "the young man picked the wrong place," then addressed what he called the elephant in the room: “the growth of senseless violence.”

Mayor Joe Riley said that the Emanuel church was already a sacred place and declared, "And now it’s even more sacred. Sacred because of the lives lost in it while in prayer.” He added, "It isn’t when we fall that counts, it’s how we get up...We will look back on (this tragedy) as a time when love and goodness came together to overcome evil."

Gov. Nikki Haley said, “As all eyes of this country are on our state and our city...what happened in that church is not the people of South Carolina.” She added, "If this can happen in church, we’ve got some praying to do. If there’s one thing we can do in South Carolina it’s pray. ... We are a state of faith, we are a state of prayer, we are a state of love.”

Friday at 6:00 ET, the City of Charleston scheduled a community vigil at the College of Charleston TD Arena.  The Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has organized a special citywide church bell ringing for 10 a.m. Sunday to show solidarity with the church.  About a dozen downtown churches have so far agreed to participate. 

A gospel artist named Marcus Stanley made the decision to reach out to the alleged shooter, 21-year-old Dylann Roof, on his now-deleted Facebook page.  According to The Christian Post, Stanley wrote: "I don't look at you with the eyes of hatred, or judge you by your appearance or race, but I look at you as a human being that made a horrible decision to take the lives of nine living and breathing people."

His post stated, "Children do not grow up with hatred in their hearts. In this world we are born color blind. Somewhere along the line, you were taught to hate people that are not like you, and that is truly tragic." He added, "If you are still out there and you have your phone with you … Give your heart to Jesus and confess your sins with a heart of forgiveness. He is the only one that can save your soul and forgive you for this terrible act that you have done."

There are several words that come to mind in the aftermath of this tragedy:

Number 1 is pray.  Pray.  Whenever there is an incident that stirs our hearts, when we see a loss of life, as people are feeling insecure, we can be encouraged to go to the Lord and ask for His will to be seen.  

Another is overcome.  The Bible speaks of overcoming evil with good.  And, make no mistake, this was an act of pure evil, inspired by the Father of lies.  Murder is an act straight from the evil one. Sure, we know that all sin is evil, but this is an unspeakable act that defies description, an expression of violent hatred in the heart of a severely deceived individual.  And, we have to be aware that enemy's strategy is to divide people, to turn them against each other, and to plant seeds of hatred in the hearts of people. 

There is also the word, heal.   Already, people in leadership are calling for healing and restoration, and that is good.  A Christianity Today story quotes Cecilia Williams, director of ministry initiatives of Love Mercy Do Justice for the Evangelical Covenant Church, who said that for many African Americans, the shooting brings up memories of other racial violence. She said, "This a tragic reminder of a historic legacy of violence,” adding, “It feels like there is no safe place for black people in America.”

Still, as the article states, Williams said that she’s not without hope. This incident is a chance for Christians of all races to speak “into the fullness of human suffering,” she said. “This situation is not beyond God’s watchful eye or his ability to redeem and restore.”

We can rely on the Lord, as His people come together, to bring a wave of healing in our land.  People can talk, deeply share, across racial and cultural lines, to address, in a common sense way, the issues that are facing our communities.  It is the presence of God and the love of Jesus that can bring unity.

Finally, there is the word, love.  Love is the fuel for prayer, it enables us to overcome evil, and brings healing between people who have been separated.  Knowing God's love can bring comfort in the face of loss.  Experiencing and appropriating the love of God can be very powerful in the face of fear - the Bible says that perfect love casts out fear.  

This was a heinous act.  Now, as believers come together with a common purpose to serve God and to provide leadership on dealing with issues in our communities, we can help to provide a way forward, to continue progress in bridging the gaps that would separate us.