Frodo (a Hobbit in the Lord of the Ring series by JRR Tolkien), the unassuming reluctant bearer of the One Ring reaches the climax of his life-quest: standing at the end, peering into the fires of Mount Doom, he failed. For all the long journey, he did not accomplish the mission. 1Image Credit: Image by Wolfgang Orthgieß from Pixabay.
He couldn’t destroy the ring. He wanted the ring for himself.
It was only a matter of sovereignty and providence that saved him and Middle Earth. In a fateful twist, Gollum was spared from death decades before because of the compassion that Bilbo had for the creature. Inadvertently, Gollum became the agent that destroyed the ring in a violent final attempt to posses it for himself. What Frodo couldn’t do, Gollum accomplished it, but not of his own will. Evil intent was transformed into a great good. The fate of the world hung on a divine insight into the darkness of a creature and the transformed conscience of a Hobbit who had compassion on a monster. Frodo’s predecessor Bilbo spared the creature Gollum and provided the means to the ring’s destruction. In the end, an act of compassion led to salvation.
Interestingly, Gollum’s actions were prophesied by the wise old wizard Gandalf earlier in the adventure when Frodo laments that Bilbo didn’t kill Gollum:
Gandalf:
“Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise can not see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill…”
Indeed, all humans are like Frodo.
No matter what journey we must take in our lives we desire to cling to the selfish desires within us. We are concerned about justice- for others, but would prefer not meeting our own. Outside of Jesus Christ, there is no hope for mankind.
But God has provided, and the prophets of old were given the foresight to announce the coming of the King who would sacrifice himself for human benefit.
Through his sovereignty and grace, you can be saved through the work of Jesus Christ. What he accomplished on the cross covers your sin.
That is the good news for your story. What must you do?
One must repent, believe, and confess Christ as Lord, and then be baptized.
And what shall we say about evil?
Like Gollum, it is worked out through divine providence where the creature means their works for evil but God uses them for good, for the saving of many lives. That is sovereign grace! It is always in his hands. To him be all glory and praise.
