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JesusIt was a day I will never forget. On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City. They had hijacked other planes as well, but viewers saw the twin towers tragedy in real time. I stared at my television in confusion and disbelief. Those weren’t just planes that exploded; there were people inside. Those weren’t JesusJesusjust buildings that came crashing down; there were people inside. Almost 3000 people JesusJesusdied that day in a terrible fusion of twisted metal, concrete and smoke. In an instant JesusJesusthey were senselessly taken from their friends, families and the world. The dangerous JesusJesusMuslim extremist ideology that pioneered these attacks is unique in its specific details. Yet, in world history, it is just one more violent evil among many. JesusThe world is a violent place. It is all around us on the streets, in our homes and in the media. People everywhere daily face the reality of terrorism, gangs, civil wars, international threat, crime, child and spousal abuse, and a hostile population. Barbaric entertainment exacerbates the situation. “The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.” (Proverbs 21:7) JesusA few fierce examples spring to mind. Two local teenagers were arrested for murdering a truck driver one night-for about $30-as he slept in his truck at a gas station. A local man shot and killed his neighbor, while shoveling snow, for allegedly throwing snow on his part of the sidewalk. Just a few blocks from my apartment an old man accidentally bumped the car in front of him while driving; the other driver got out and shot him to death. Why? “A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.” (Proverbs 14:16) JesusThese are just some of the countless treacheries I remember. Most people can recall similar stories. They occur every day; it is happening somewhere right now. Many of us have even been victims of violence. We hear the news and shake our heads sadly. Then we proceed to pop in the latest violent DVD or play a violent video game. Or we watch two men fighting on the sports’ channel. It is a plain paradox. Human life is pitifully undervalued and suffering is too easily dismissed. “...Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and violence.” (Jonah 3:8) JesusAdults and children are absorbed in violence, recklessness, death and destruction. Popular movies glorify criminals and irreverent lawlessness. They present macabre scenes of psychos, serial killers and subhuman acts. Crashes pulverize vehicles; explosions disintegrate buildings. Meanwhile, video games teach players how to steal cars and outrun the police in high-speed chases. Frighteningly real graphics allow them to execute people and monsters in disturbing detail. Venues like “ultimate fighting” and “extreme wrestling” are not too far removed from ancient gladiator shows. Men were thrown into the arenas to be mutilated and killed for the entertainment of the uninvolved spectators. Doesn't kickboxing and even boxing, to some degree, serve the same savage interest? Why do we want to watch two men beat and bloody each other into submission and unconsciousness? Audiences are detached from the gruesome reality of these things. Players feel no pain. So they fill their hearts with vicious physicality, attracted by morbid curiosity and bloodlust. All at once this crazed “entertainment” desensitizes and trains. “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways.” (Proverbs 3:31)
watching them happen to your child, sibling, spouse or parent? Would you long to prevent it, stop it or undo it? If yes, then how can you call it pleasure? If not, then which draws you to it-Christ or self; the Holy Spirit or your flesh? “’All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be enslaved by anything.” (1Corinthians 6:12) We need not shelter ourselves from the hard realities of our world. However, there is a distinct difference between the awareness of violence and the enjoyment of or obsession with it. approximately 1.2 million babies in Ukraine annually. (The rate of abortion in Ukraine is six times that of the United States.) It kills 1.3 million babies in the U.S. annually. These are startling statistics, and this is a very sensitive issue. Mothers who have ended the lives of their babies frequently experience deep and lifelong remorse over their decisions. My intention is not to add to their burden but to expose the truth. “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.” (Proverbs 31:8) JesusThe unborn baby is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5) He or she is known by God and is a precious life upon conception. That baby is not an inhuman mass only legitimized by birth. He or she is a very small person who moves, rolls, kicks and hiccups. “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:44) JesusAbortion is selfish and the devil’s deception. It seems like an easy way to avoid responsibility, the inconvenience of pregnancy or the financial cost of a child. Without the light of God’s word, a failed relationship with the father or an anticipated birth defect seem to be reasonable grounds. Furthermore, society supports the idea. Many promoters are either ignorant or simply furthering their own agendas. “Let no one deceive you with empty words…” (Ephesians 5:6) Abortion is not easy; it is physically, emotionally and spiritually destructive. Nor is there a reasonable rationale for it; abortion is the senseless sanctioned murder of an innocent human being. JesusOnce I saw a bumper sticker on a car that stated, “As a former fetus, I oppose abortion!” It seems so logical, why wouldn’t we all agree? If our parents had chosen abortion, we would not exist. Here we will not delve into the horrendously cruel methods by which this process is accomplished. Nor will we explore the fetus black market in Ukraine that perpetuates and profits from this practice. “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…” (2Pet 2:3) However, abortion is terrorism too. Yet unlike the 9/11 victims, these tiny people will never meet or be enjoyed by their families, would-be friends or the world. JesusIf you or somebody you know is considering abortion, please consider life. Crisis pregnancy centers can lend emotional and spiritual support. (Please see our Resource page for more information.) Ultrasounds enable a mother to recognize her baby’s humanity. Learning more about her baby and the miracle of life can provide the perspective she needs to accomplish her pregnancy. Lastly, please read our prayer and start here essays to find hope and help through Christ. JesusJesusJesusJesusWe can live amidst violence without being violent, just as we are in the JesusJesusJesusworld but not of the world. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live JesusJesusJesuspeaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) A humble person who speaks kindly and JesusJesusJesustreats others with respect does not provoke violence. So living peaceably starts JesusJesusJesuswith peaceable conduct. Yet that same person still can be targeted for various JesusJesusJesusreasons, including the word of God he proclaims. So Christ revealed the righteous JesusJesusJesusresponse to physical assault. “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5:39) Clearly, He also demonstrated this strategy in surrendering to a vicious beating and crucifixion. I call it a strategy because it was not impotent inaction, but rather through it He succeeded in proving His love, obedience and faithfulness and ultimately defeated sin and death for all who believe. Peace is a plan, violence is a fatal virus. “…For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Like Christ, we have a higher purpose than rage, retaliation or revenge. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20) JesusSome whom Christ calls are murderers, brawlers and abusers. “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1Timothy 1:13-14) All can be forgiven, and everyone who comes in truth will be changed. But how else will they see “a more excellent way” (1Corinthians 12:31) except through our committed Christian witness. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) JesusPlease note that God’s pronouncements against violence are not a universal condemnation of soldiers. Military combat does not necessarily violate God’s word. War is always regrettable and should be a last resort, but is sometimes necessary in this fallen world. One of the basic functions of government is to protect the safety and physical well-being of its people. “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.” (Romans 13:3) Governments have the right to defend their citizens, liberate others and battle true evils in the world. “…For he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4) Incidentally, this passage also establishes grounds for the death penalty for those offenders deemed most dangerous to society. Governments are made of fallen people. Therefore, unfortunately, many cases of combat and capital punishment will indeed be sin against God’s statutes. Religious persecution and ethnic cleansing are frequent examples of this. However, as civilian citizens submit to their governments (as long as the laws do not violate God’s word), soldiers follow their leaders into war when commanded to do so in good conscience. JesusSpeaking of soldiers, Paul compared Christians to such. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Ephesians 6:11-17) Additional scripture for review: Psalm 140 Proverbs 1:8-1/15:18/16:32 Isaiah 60:18 Ezekiel 45:9 Romans 13:1-7 2Corinthians 10:3-5 1Timothy 3:3 Titus 1:7 James 4:1 |
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