What does it even mean then, that we can, through faith, have "victory over sin?" There is serious threat here of those words lying empty because our speech and our experience lie in grave contradiction. Is this so? Why was Eden not restored and the evil gone? Why is our day to day lived in shadow?
I was reminded by a catholic writer this morning of a very helpful and appropriate perspective of our sin problem. I'll try to communicate it:
Sin and Evil have long been the occupying force. Their reign has brought oppression and hopelessness. They've oppressed us so long that somewhere long ago a piece of us forgot that it was even the enemy. We began accept our fate, to grow comfortable with it, live at ease with it, inviting it in for coffee, letting it babysit our kids, allowing it to infiltrate our cities and homes, our culture and customs and ethics and economies.
But still, we've been living under occupation by this foreign power and darkness and defeat covers the scene. It's like the Nazi occupation of Europe times 10.
Imagine that in a prisoner camp in this society there spreads a story of a great battle fought and won which broke the backbone of this evil. In the fight, they were utterly destroyed and Good became victorious. Yes, the evil is still near, but it has been defeated! It won't be long now until they are released and free, never to be oppressed by this evil again. The knowledge of this victory brings shouts, singing and dancing. They act with joy and hope as if the enemy is gone and freedom has already arrived!
And therefore, it has. We are free.
I can see it approaching
I heard this would soon come.
light chases shadow
straight into its grave.
It won't be long now
Let us rejoice.
I heard this would soon come.
light chases shadow
straight into its grave.
It won't be long now
Let us rejoice.
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