God Uses Bad Guys to Serve Him
I often talk about the way in which the God of the Bible clearly structures events such that even evildoers ultimately serve God’s (good) plan. However, even some of the heroes of the Bible were murderers. In particular, Moses, King David, and Paul were instrumental in the killing of people not in self-defense. (Moses killed an Egyptian who had been beating a Hebrew, David gave a military order that was effectively a death sentence, and Paul [at the time named “Saul”] actively hunted down Christians knowing that some of them would be executed.)
I understand that cynics will say this is yet another disgusting aspect of Christianity, that some of its greatest heroes were murderers. But the flip side is that anyone can find redemption in Christ and transform his life. This wouldn’t ring true if the “great men” of the Bible had all had spotless records.
If God can forgive Saul for persecuting Christians and turn him into Paul–the chief theorist of Christianity–then God can use you too, so long as you confess your sins and seek His guidance.
Does not God use everyone – from Paul to Hitler to Siddhartha, whether they are Christians or not?
But what if I’m Saul son of Kish or Pharaoh?
thats actually a interesting question, conflict between secular justice and “what god wanted”.
are any of those great men forgiven for the crime they did in their lives? if they could face justice, would they? would god be “ok” with that?
i think this is a give ceasar to ceasar type of thing for god, after all salvation is in the afterlife, yes?
i.e. if they could be convicted to death for murder they would accept it knowing that salvation awaits them
There is no such thing as ‘secular justice.’ That is just your own made up construct, it has no basis in reality.
Are not the evil a scourge of the righteous allowing us a chance at remembering this life is temporary?
I thought it was the Godfather who uses bad guys to serve him.
Well someone had to say it 😉
Hmmm, seems to me that seeking guidance shouldn’t be necessary, with God being omnipotent all necessary guidance is already there. Since His plan is the Only plan, you are following it by definition.
Good post Bob,
Another good example is the story of Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery. After he makes up with them he tells that that even though what they were doing was for an evil purpose in their hearts, God was using that for good.
Gen 20:
“And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
Could God ”use” Pol Pot, Mao, Beria or Himmler as well? THAT I call a really “disgusting aspect of Christianity”.