This morning, I heard all about how there was partying in the New York streets as people celebrated Bin Laden's death. Step back from the man and the situation, and think about that concept for a moment...
What a statement about the total depravity of mankind as a whole, celebrating the death of its own. Is this not what many Muslims did the day the towers fell? How can Americans possibly think that they are somehow "better" than others when, at the very heart of the matter, they're clearly just as immoral?
Didn't Jesus teach us to love our enemies, and to pray for them? How many Americans do you think actually prayed for Bin Laden? I dare say not many. This morning, I'm ashamed to say that I didn't either.
In all likelihood, that man never came to know who Jesus really is, and that He is the only one able to save him from hell and death. In all likelihood, that man is in hell right now, because no one ever made a genuine attempt to share the gospel of Christ with him. This morning, I have a partial sense that the eternal condition of his soul is on my head, because I never prayed for him. I'm just as depraved as the rest of humanity.
Some of you might respond with "But he DESERVED it!" You'll get no argument from me on that. I'm simply broadening the scope here, and saying that we ALL DESERVE IT, even me. I'm not going to heaven because I deserve it. I'm going there because I trust completely in Jesus' sacrifice of Himself on my behalf. I have God's Word on that, and that's all I need. I praise God that Jesus had mercy on me and found me when I needed Him most. I praise God for His blessed assurance that I will spend an eternity in His presence.
This incident serves as a reminder to me that EVERYONE needs Jesus. Being forever saved from hell and death comes with a responsibility - to tell others how they can also be saved. Everyone needs salvation, not just our friends. Loving our friends and family is easy. Jesus taught us that even our enemies do that. The challenge to all who are saved is to love our enemies, and especially to pray for them.
Don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying that God's justice has not been carried out in this case. I'm not saying that this man should not have been killed. God uses governing powers to carry out His sovereign will, and that does not change. I'm not so arrogant to say that I know the mind of God. Obviously, I don't. My reaction here is not so much to Bin Laden's death as it is to what followed afterward, and what is yet to come.
Retaliation only brings about retaliation. Bin Laden's death accomplishes nothing except to increase the level of hate already so prominent on both sides of this situation. The cycle of vengeance cannot be broken without a change of heart. Who will step forth in Jesus' name, and have the courage to tell the next terrorist leader that rises to power about God's salvation? No volunteers? Perhaps we should all pray for one.
"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2
People are celebrating
DEATH.
DEATH.
What a statement about the total depravity of mankind as a whole, celebrating the death of its own. Is this not what many Muslims did the day the towers fell? How can Americans possibly think that they are somehow "better" than others when, at the very heart of the matter, they're clearly just as immoral?
Didn't Jesus teach us to love our enemies, and to pray for them? How many Americans do you think actually prayed for Bin Laden? I dare say not many. This morning, I'm ashamed to say that I didn't either.
In all likelihood, that man never came to know who Jesus really is, and that He is the only one able to save him from hell and death. In all likelihood, that man is in hell right now, because no one ever made a genuine attempt to share the gospel of Christ with him. This morning, I have a partial sense that the eternal condition of his soul is on my head, because I never prayed for him. I'm just as depraved as the rest of humanity.
Some of you might respond with "But he DESERVED it!" You'll get no argument from me on that. I'm simply broadening the scope here, and saying that we ALL DESERVE IT, even me. I'm not going to heaven because I deserve it. I'm going there because I trust completely in Jesus' sacrifice of Himself on my behalf. I have God's Word on that, and that's all I need. I praise God that Jesus had mercy on me and found me when I needed Him most. I praise God for His blessed assurance that I will spend an eternity in His presence.
This incident serves as a reminder to me that EVERYONE needs Jesus. Being forever saved from hell and death comes with a responsibility - to tell others how they can also be saved. Everyone needs salvation, not just our friends. Loving our friends and family is easy. Jesus taught us that even our enemies do that. The challenge to all who are saved is to love our enemies, and especially to pray for them.
Don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying that God's justice has not been carried out in this case. I'm not saying that this man should not have been killed. God uses governing powers to carry out His sovereign will, and that does not change. I'm not so arrogant to say that I know the mind of God. Obviously, I don't. My reaction here is not so much to Bin Laden's death as it is to what followed afterward, and what is yet to come.
Retaliation only brings about retaliation. Bin Laden's death accomplishes nothing except to increase the level of hate already so prominent on both sides of this situation. The cycle of vengeance cannot be broken without a change of heart. Who will step forth in Jesus' name, and have the courage to tell the next terrorist leader that rises to power about God's salvation? No volunteers? Perhaps we should all pray for one.
"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2
