I heard a prayer today in my church that vowed God's vengeance against these unholy acts and the unholy people who commit them.
A holy war of sorts has begun. The war will be won in a unique way though. It does not require killing an enemy.
Understanding the enemy and fighting them is part of the battle. Muslims, Jews and Christians all share a belief in the same God but have different beliefs about how they should worship him and if the savior has come or who he actually is. Differences aside their God is the God of the Torah, the God of the Bible and the God of the Quran.
So who is the real enemy? The false religions that say they are doing things in the name of God but create war instead of peace.
So how should we fight people who martyr us, who condemn us and create false images of the God we all worship?
The first thing we should do is not react with violence back. Yes, they have martyred good people. So we must not let those people die in vain. We should tell their stories much like the story of Jesus. They died for their faith and they should be remembered and held up as such. Make sure they did not die in vain by becoming the cruel enemy we detest.
How do we do this? We should fight them with big ideas.
Instead in the word's of Pastor Steven Breon use big ideas straight from the bible.
Big idea 1: Live like there is a God.
Live your faith and let others around you know there is a God. He is here and present and provides grace for all who choose him. Stand fast in your belief when other's may shout you down or provide doubt. Share God with kindness and joy and gladness each day. Pray
Big idea 2: Nurture the love attitude
Jesus was a warrior that won the world by using love and not a sword. Matthew 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
This is the way we will conquer our enemies, by showing them love, by teaching to love us as well as themselves. If we want peace we have to teach that peace is the only way.
Big idea 3: Teach the Children
It is time to educate the world about God. Bring the church to the children. Make them believers of a God of peace and understanding. Teach them that war is only a path to a life time of destruction and pain. God will heal the sick and poor and will provide for the means of everyone that seeks him but only if there is peace will his people be able to come to them.
What are you doing to make a difference? Have you taken to a bully pulpit calling for the extinction of another religion or people? Have you cried for war with weapons instead of words? Have you asked God to intervene?
All to often we look out instead of up. We look to governments, armies and vigilantes to solve the problems of the world. It is time to look to God and our Christian community for answers. Live like there is a God and ask for peace and it shall be given. Nurture love and you will receive love back. Teach the world about a loving God and not a God of war and like children we may all get along.
© 2015 A. Quintin Smith
Big idea 3: Teach the Children
It is time to educate the world about God. Bring the church to the children. Make them believers of a God of peace and understanding. Teach them that war is only a path to a life time of destruction and pain. God will heal the sick and poor and will provide for the means of everyone that seeks him but only if there is peace will his people be able to come to them.
What are you doing to make a difference? Have you taken to a bully pulpit calling for the extinction of another religion or people? Have you cried for war with weapons instead of words? Have you asked God to intervene?
All to often we look out instead of up. We look to governments, armies and vigilantes to solve the problems of the world. It is time to look to God and our Christian community for answers. Live like there is a God and ask for peace and it shall be given. Nurture love and you will receive love back. Teach the world about a loving God and not a God of war and like children we may all get along.
© 2015 A. Quintin Smith
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NIV
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