Can Good Come Out of Evil?
We sometimes hear the expression used that "good may come out of evil." This is very true, if we use the word "evil" in the sense of trouble, and not in the sense of sin. Affliction and trouble are often called evil, and in this sense good may come out of evil, "for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Again we read that "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope;" and that chastisement which at the time is very grievous, afterwards yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them who are exercised thereby. And again, that "all things work together for good to them that love God." But from evil which is sin no good can possibly come. Sin has no manner of connection with good. From sin only sin can come. So none need console themselves with the thought, if they have done wrong, that good may come out of it. There is mercy for the sinner, and where sin abounds, grace does much more abound, and so good may come after evil, if the sinner exercises repentance towards God, and faith in his Son Jesus Christ. But the good can come only after the sin has been put away, and it comes not because of the evil, but in spite of it. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid."