This is not a time for patriotism. It is a time for us to open our eyes and come to the realization that the gospel is right when it says, "we should treat others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12)." If a country invades another country under the pretence of fighting against the axis of evil or declares war based on the ideology of "attacking them before they attack us"- I ask, what kind of world or home environment does this produce? One for evil oppression and one in which it's an eye for an eye and a life for a life. And America- she has followed this path. Ask the people of Panama, ask the children of Iraq, ask the people of Rwanda, ask the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ask the homeless and starving Indians on the Reservations, ask the millions on young black and Latino men locked away in prisons and they will tell you a tail that will make your ears tingle and your bones to shake with horror (Isaiah 14:16-17).
However, Jesus taught us the opposite (Matt. 5:38-48, Romans 12:17-21). He encouraged us to take the higher ground, to strive towards perfection. He counseled us to love our enemies, to bless and not curse, to do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. These are hard words in our modern age of self-indulgence, self-centeredness, self-preservation, self-interest, and self-gratification.
Unfortunately, friends, the Bible doesn't speak of this time as getting better, but worse and worse ( 2 Tim. 3:13, 1). Why? because, as stated in 2 Timothy chapter three, men shall become lovers of themselves- lovers of their own objectives, their civilization, their wealth and money, their things and their power vs. God's power and the things of God ( 2 Tim. 3:1-7). But, what of you, beloved, who believe the gospel? God warns us to depart or flee from such things and form men that indulge in such things ( 2 Tim. 3:5, 2 Thes. 3:6-7 ). This can also be applied to those outside the faith as a call to depart form an evil lifestyle and to those who say they are in the faith yet live in a disorderly and Godless manner. But, now is the time for us to open our eyes and wake-up to what God is whispering in our ears ( Luke 13:1-8). The tragedy of yesterday's bombing didn't happen to those people because they were the greatest sinners in America; no, they were not-but the message God is sending is that unless we, brothers and sisters, friends, and enemies, repent-we are all destine in like manner to perish (Luke 13:2-3). God is giving America and all men time to repent and acknowledge the Truth and to do the Truth ( John 17:17). We must understand that God controls events in history, even the history of now, in order to bring about his purpose ( Amos 3:6, Job 2:10, Isaiah 14:24-26).
I'm not saying this evil happened so you and I could repent- that would be a self-centered attitude. But, it is an opportunity to learn that tragedy can strike at any time. Therefore, one should get him or herself right with God by believing in Him and doing His commandments, that no matter what comes your soul and life and the soul and life of them that follow your example in Christ may be safe with Him ( 1 Thes. 5:1-10).
Hear the Words of our Lord: Mark 1:15
I pray for the victims, their families and love ones who are suffering today and for all victims around the world- may God grant us all true peace and comfort and not as this world gives it.
Shalam,
God Bless You and Keep you till we meet again,
Zarach
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