After the 9/11 attacks on America I remember President George W. Bush promising to “rid the world of evil.”
I also recall thinking: “that’s not gonna happen.”
Of course, wanting to rid the world of evil sounds noble — even inspiring.
But the fact is…
No government, military or police force is able to accomplish such an immense and formidable task.
Yes, civil authorities can — and must — punish evildoers… this is their purpose (Rom. 13:3-5).
But getting rid of evil itself calls for something more.
It requires a work of God.
And this is what Jesus came to do.
Scripture tells us Jesus appeared “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn.3:8).
And during His ministry, Satan… the propagator of evil… “fell like lightning” (Lk. 10:18).
This makes Jesus our hope for ridding the world of evil.
And gives us insight for contending with evil in our own day.
Our conquering King ultimately overcame evil by dying and fulfilling His life’s calling as Redeemer.
And to the extent we die to ourselves and carry out the mission God has for us, we overcome evil too.
As we anticipate the day when all who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied (Mt. 5:6)
