The Problem with Evil: Further Thoughts on Romans 8 in the Days of Corona

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8: 35-37

Remember, we live in the tension of a fallen creation. It is filled with death, decay, and rebellion. This reality is starkly different from the future new heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit is with you bringing the power and fellowship we long for today. He is also proof of the certainty of God’s preferred future. The life we cherish is not one of temporary power, temporary health or temporary wealth that ends in futility. Granted, it is easier to discuss this when we are not in a crisis of grief or fear. When the Day of the Lord arrives, our faith in Christ, as Paul says in Romans 8:28, assures us “All things work together for good, to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.” We are confident that we will be conformed to the risen likeness of Jesus, that we are more than conquerors of the death and decay of this creation. Why confident? Because it is God’s final plan, and He sits as King of all creation and history. Like Abraham, we are now God’s children by faith. We are purchased with Christ's blood. His redeemed sons and daughters. “So, what shall separate me from the love of Christ?” Not one thing of this sin-ravaged world, not famine, not hardship, not persecution, not dangers in this world, not disease. One day, when the time is right, all things will be made right. We shall be conformed to His resurrected image. Until then, I belong to His mission and the pain sometimes caused by that mission. Suffering will give way to His future and goodness. He will set right, all wrongs, and wipe away our tears. So, we wait, serve, endure, pray, and enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.

Brother Barry Dunn