EVIL IS REAL


Dear China Friends:

EVIL IS REAL

   The recent events in a Denver suburb should convince us that Evil is real.  Why would someone plan to kill a theater of defenseless people?  Where does such evil come from?  After all, doesn’t the Good Book tell us we are created in the image of God? (Genesis 1:27).  We are god-like in that we were created with a spirit, a conscience that tells us there is a right and a wrong and reasoning capacity to choose right from wrong.  Also we have been given a guide book to leave no doubt as to what is right and what it wrong?  Why then is there so much evil in our world?

We must realize that there are two forces at work in our world.  God is the source of all that is good.  “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works” (Psalms 145:17).  When God created this world he pronounced it all very good (Genesis 1:31).  But there is also another power at work in our world!  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). 
This is talking about Satan and his angels.  One of God’s angels rebelled against God when he declared, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14).  In this rebellion he took a third of the angels with him (Revelation 12:4).  For this, Satan and his crew were cast out of heaven and down to this world (Revelation 12:9).

Satan began his evil earthly career by tempting the Adam and Eve to believe that they could be their own God!  (Genesis 2:5).  “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). 
Sin separated man from God and changed His perfect creation. 

But God reversed what Satan had done by sending Jesus. “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).  But for those who refuse to accept Jesus’ righteousness, Satan, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit…is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).   Satan is behind all evil!

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7,8).                                                             

I was as deeply shocked by the senseless shootings in Colorado as you no doubt were.  But it makes me cherish all the more the next life were all wrongs will be righted and godly conduct rewarded!
I just voted by mail for my local candidates for office and this fall I will vote for my presidential candidate.  This is one way for citizens to ensure good government. 
I continue get around with the normal aches and pains for my age.  I trust this finds you with good health for you and your family.

Your friend,
Tom Atkinson   
           

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