The results of evil played out are always ugly. Sometimes one sees the arrogant thief caught and justice exercised by the society in which he or she lives. In the West the judicial systems grinds slowly; however in some cases it actually will go through the process with verdicts and sentences bring the accountability that we think we so desperately desire. In other parts of the globe justice is more direct. The same thief would face the loss of a hand. The person cheating on his or her spouse could face a stoning and the loss of a life met with the loss of your own life.
The fact is that our freedom comes with the ability to pass on evil to those around us as well as good is confusing. The fact that there is silence in heaven while people slaughter thousands and even millions can bring tears to even the hard hearted. The fact that evil goes on unchecked will check or eat away at our reservoir of hope regardless of how strong we think we are. Where is God? Isn’t God all powerful?
First, God does hold each accountable for our choices. At times the accountability is blunt, to the point, and graphic in its application. Wisdom warns us about one area under our control. “An eye that disdains a father and despises a mother—that eye will be plucked out by wild vultures and consumed by young eagles.” (Proverbs 30.17)
Second, there is something in the results that we often miss when we grapple with reality in the cold gray light of a new morning. God will meet out justice. God also offers us unconditional grace and is looking to extend mercy to one and all! There is no middle ground. God wants to restore all of us to our full potentials. God can envision every created being standing tall, shouting to our full capacity, living life to our full potentials. He knows the ugliness of this life – yet he also sees and offers us the beauty.
Our choice is the result.
