Christian, this post is specifically aimed at you I. Thought I’d let you know right up front so there’s no wondering about it.
And, I am NOT saying we shouldn’t defend ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors or our nation.
I am merely asking some questions.
Have we forgotten something?
What are we thinking about when we allow ourselves to become fearful of the crazy times we’re living in?
Did all these wars and rumors of wars surprise God? Do you reckon He’s chewed His fingernails down to the quick, worrying about how He’s going to handle all those radical groups such as ISIS?
It’s not like He’s never seen this stuff before.
Did God suddenly lose His seat of authority? Did He fall asleep and everyone is scared to wake Him?
Are we playing right into the devil’s hand by succumbing to the spirit of fear?
We boast, “God’s on the Throne! We’ve read the back of the book, and we win!” Yet the news reports get us to thinking differently.
Whose kingdom are we citizens of, anyway? If we’re more concerned about democrats and republicans than we are about kingdom business, then maybe we’re merely visiting the kingdom of God.
If that’s possible.
Have we forgotten just how rotten we were, and yet, even with all of hell’s influence trying to keep us disinterested in Jesus, a miracle happened and we were born of God?
Have we forgotten something?
Something like the Bible saying that people from every kindred, every nation, and every tribe will be gathered around God’s throne, praising and worshipping forever and ever?
Have we forgotten something?
Though not everything that happens is God’s will (such as beheadings and other terror tactics carried out by insane, demon possessed folks claiming to have a righteous cause), nothing slips by Him without being noticed, and judged.
Payday WILL arrive, and sooner than a lot of us think.
The wages of sin is still death, and God keeps very accurate books.
Or have we forgotten?
Have we forgotten that although God is grieved by the horrible things happening in our world, He hasn’t forgotten what His Son accomplished through the cross and resurrection?
Have we forgotten about the apostle Paul? A well known “terrorist” in the eyes of the early disciples. His passion was going after people of “the Way”, heretics (infidels, if you please) who were blaspheming the very holiness of God Almighty.
He thought he was doing God a real favor, getting rid of the opposition.
And God ALLOWED some to be put to death at the hand of Paul (Saul).
Yet there came a time when the account, the tab, Paul had been running up became due.
As Paul was on the ground, after being laid out flat by the power of God, he realized decision time had arrived. He also knew, in a split second, how wrong he’d been and how right the others were.
It changed him completely!
Let’s not forget it was Paul who wrote the letter to the Romans, even after being beaten countless times. Here’s a little sample of what he wrote.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (to include radicalized Muslims).” (Romans 1:16 ESV)
Have we forgotten something, something like the gospel of God? Have we forgotten it IS the power of God for salvation?!
Have we forgotten that since God is NOT WILLING that anyone perish, He IS at work doing something about it?
We’d best not.
Think about this Psalm whenever the next report of terrorism lights up your smartphone.
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’
“He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill. I will tell of the decree: the Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’
“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.’” (Psalm 2 ESV)
Let’s not forget that the Father God is still all about Jesus Christ. It is THE issue that is being attacked throughout the WORLD. The devil’s pushing his lies, on a lot of levels, but it all boils down to one person.
Jesus.
And the Father is bringing this world to a point where they WILL choose, once and for all, what they’re going to do with His Son.
And let’s not forget. Though our lives may be in danger, WE CAN NEVER BE DESTROYED!
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)
Don’t forget.
Jan Grace 