Evil

We live in a world immersed in evil. Some of it is so shocking it's beyond comprehension. Some is so subtle it dulls our commitment to personal righteousness. The weak are still oppressed and feel the hatred of prejudice. The poor are always with us, and profit is a greater god than compassion. The struggle for love and acceptance too often leads men to destructive choices. We have an epidemic of narcissism. And narcissism will sacrifice anyone to the god of desire for self-fulfillment. And what a insidious god that can be. We should not be surprised, however, by endemic evil. The prince of the world has an ironclad grip on the hearts of men. He is the ultimate deceiver, and his very being is committed to the destruction of human beings.
What are we to do? Steep ourselves in the compassion of our Savior. Love the unlovely, love the sinner, love the poor in deed not in word. We must be Jesus devoid of political mechanizations conservative or liberal. We must guard against spiritual arrogance--a prideful, deadly form of narcissism.  Our ideas must be rooted in the love so marvelously demonstrated by our Savior in His walk amongst us. We must do right--at all cost. Establish our lives on His Word not on the ideas of men seeking only power and influence. Nothing else will do. We must lavish love on all those we meet each day--closest friend, absolute stranger, it must make no difference.
Why? Because He commands it and pride keeps a man from humility, and a lack of humility keeps a man from obedience. And disobedience aids the cause of the prince of evil. Touching one soul with His love each day--accepted or rejected--is the call of discipleship. Death to self is essential.

Remember, "This is my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father's world: the battle is not done; Jesus, who died shall be satisfied and earth and heaven be one."
He is the Judge. Not you or me. We are called to be faithful lovers of a dying world until He comes to make "earth and heaven one." Hate is the weapon of the evil one. Love and compassion and mercy are the weapons of discipleship. No man should be able to deny that God's people manifest in all they say and do such powerful weapons.