Responding To Terrorism

The age of terror has changed the lives of billions across the globe. It has displaced people in Aseedee villages, it has assailed the Holy Land with bombs and knives, and all of Europe has felt the sting of the militant sword. In these times it can be difficult to know how to respond to all this hate and terror, how are we to respond to terrorism? Jesus Christ told us to do the most unconvential, and for many, the most unlikely thing, pray for them. Our Lord said, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44). How can you love someone who bombs you beloved city square, causes concerts to be cauldron of chaos and death, and who march upon the earth with black banners and seeking to conquer the world for their faith? Well Jesus was no stranger to this behavior, in 33 A.D, and long before and after then, the Roman Empire had done same thing as ISIS and the militants of today. The Romans had conquered the known world, including Jerusalem, and they ruled with an iron fist. The voices of people today are not unlike the Jews of Jesus' day, crying for freedom from oppression and terror. Thus, when Jesus told us to "love our enemies," He said it not in context of mild and kind enemies, giving Persian rugs and golden lamps, but an enemy that tortured dissidents with hot spears, crucified them, a process of nailing people to a cross or tree, and death is slow by affixation or suffocation, and they even would even tie a dying corpse to an offender, and the worms and maggots would eat the living person tied to corpse slowly, until they died. This was terrors and more that Jews and Gentiles experienced on a daily basis under Rome, and Jesus says love them? Why?!

Christ Jesus, who is the Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Son of Abraham, Savior, Jehovah, and Messiah knew something we learned later: Unforgiveness makes you just like the enemy you hate. The more you hate someone or a group, the more you become like them. In addition, ISIS and Rome were full of people ruled by fear and terror, and so they expressed what they knew first hand in their hearts and by experiance. Richard Wurmbrand, a Jew who became a Christian was tortured for eight years in an underground dungeon prison in Romania for his faith. During those years he was beaten upside down, his feet beaten bloody and then told to keep walking on them all night, he was drugged in his food until he lost his reason, but not his love for Christ in his heart, and his wife joined in these sufferings, forced to carry heavy rocks in frigid waters, stand in a room of spikes for thirteen hours, and more. You would think the Wurmbrands would have hated their enemies, but instead they had pity on them, shared the Gospel with them, and many, even the most cruel taskmaster became a Christian! In fact, one high up individual Richard Wurmbrand shared the Gospel with in prison got him released from prison! It is easy to hate those who wrong us or try to control us with terror, but remember they are just as terrified. ISIS and many Islamic groups are in terror of damnation, they apply from Quran a verse from their Prophet, that assures salvation if they die in Jihad Akbar (Holy War), they are told by their Prophet this acting of killing unbelievers and dying in process guarantees salvation and admittance into Paradise. The problem is that after Muhammed's wars in Mecca and more, Muhammed wrote something suprising in the Quran and commanded his generals to cease Jihad Akbar, and to instead, "pursue the greater Jihad (Jihad Ashgar)." Jihad Ashgar is a war against the sinful self, and wicked nature inside a person, what puzzled the generals is that Muhammed wrote earlier in the Quran that when a Muslim preforms Jihad Ashgar, their good deeds and bad deeds will be measured by Allah, and if their good deeds are more bountiful on the scales of judgement, they will enter paradise, Jihad Ashgar is all about improving the weight on the good deeds side of scale, but the problem is that the Prophet of Islam said there is not guarantee, a Muslim will never know if they have done enough good to outdo their bad deeds until they die, and then they are judged by Allah. So the quandary is that Muhammed advocated Jihad Ashgar, holy living, and good works instead of Jihad Akbar (holy war), but the Prophet had said Jihad Akbar guarantees salvation, while Ashgar does not. Thus ISIS and many Muslims have chosen Jihad Akbar, holy war, because they are so concerned with entering paradise, if you will, they are the most evangelistic Muslims, because they are despairing of entering paradise, and find that Jihad Ashgar has not guarantees, they want an equivalent to John 3:16, and theirs in Quran says they must kill infidels in holy war, and die in process. It is the fear of damnation and not entering paradise that drives ISIS/ISIL and all Militant Muslims, they live in terror of judgement and so want to be caught doing what assures them acquittal before Allah. If only they knew the True God, Jesus Christ who died for their sins on the cross and rose from dead, that God settled their sins through His own blood, and that He asks them to believe in Him and confess Him as Lord and God, and live for Him; salvation being settled by belief (Romans 10:9) rather than by bleeding enemies and blowing yourself up in a suicidal sacrifice. Jesus Christ offers salvation through Himself and His sacrifice on cross, and offers paradise through believing in Him, and calls his followers to love all people, even their enemies.

Jesus being God undoubtly saw the Muslim Mujahideen (holy warriors, jihadists) and He loves them, knowing their zeal comes from inner terror of judgement, and Jesus desires they repent and come to believe in Him. We can be part of the process of our enemies became Emmanuel (Jesus)'s next disciples, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:27-30). ISIS and other Muslim warriors have taken more than cloaks, and done more than strike people's cheeks, they have decimated towns, and destroyed people's lives, but Jesus says to love them. How? Love them because they are compelled by a zeal based in terror of judgement, just as hurt people hurt people, terrorists are terrorized, humans are responders, we unleash what was unleashed on us, we domino the behavior from others and our inner doubts, and fears. I want to also say this, there was murderer, a man who killed Christians, imprisoned them, hunted them, and hated them. He terrorized the church and made a name for himself, Saul of Tarsus, "But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison," (Acts 8:3), "But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem," (Acts 9:1-2). This Saul, a murderer of Christians, confesses He did these deeds, "And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them," (Acts 26:10), "I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison," (Acts 22:4). This Saul was no different than ISIS, hunting down the church with 'religious zeal' and slaying them wherever he could, until one day he encountered the ring leader of the Church, "Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the high priest, and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem; and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles]. Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight." (Acts 9:1-6, 10-18). Saul went from Arch Inquisitor, Persecutor, and Terrorist against the Church to becoming Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11:13, Acts 9:15, Acts 22:21), "Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry," (Romans 11:13), and "For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles." (Galatians 2:8). The Murderer of the Messiah's followers became a Master Evangelist of the Messiah! This is a major case and point for why Jesus said love your enemy! Had not Ananias decided to love Saul/Paul and obey God, entire nations: Arabia (Galatians 1:17), Greece (Acts 27:16-34), Macedonia (Acts 16:9), and Rome itself (Acts 29:1-31) would not have been so impacted by the Gospel, for these were places Saul now named Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the One whom he had persecuted, and Saul/Paul went from persecuting the Church to becoming persecuted for the Church (Colossians 1:24). It is possible, as Paul's life shows, that a great enemy, can become a great emissary through loving your enemy. Had Ananias not obeyed God and be part of resorting Paul's sight, we wouldn't have the bulk of New Testament! Loving his enemy, Ananias became part of Christ's great work to save nations!

The typical response to terror, hurt, and unkindness is an eye for an eye, but Jesus says, "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that." (Matthew 5:37-48). The eye for an eye never works because revenge never satisfies the soul. Often the one who has acquired their revenge says, "Now what do I do?" something Indigo Montoya of Princess Bride and the heroine of 007 Quantum of Solace both say after they get their revenge, because an eye for an eye does not satisfy, but only "makes the whole world blind." (Ghandi). When we love our enemy, that enemy ceases to be our enemy, and transformers from a monster into a messed up person in need of Messiah Jesus. Pride makes us scoff at these terrorists and call them barbarians and demons, but the same rage, hate, and fear resides in all human hearts, and can be stirred up by the devil and self protection, self determination, and self promotion. I am not saying to condone the actions of terrorists, and simply let them rule the world with an iron fist, but in addition to put up boundaries and placing soldiers to stop their advance, we can pray for them. Maybe you are too hurt by these terrorists to love them, well then let me say this, love them enough to pray they be saved, love them enough to want them to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may be changed, and cease hurting people. For remember this, had the Early Church chosen to hold on to unforgivenss, continued to hate, and even want revenge against Saul, he would not have become Paul the Apostle of Gentiles whose letters offer us comfort (see 2 Corinthians Chapters 1 through 6), and who articulates the Gospel and who Christ is (Colossians 2:9) with such passion and precision. How many Pauls who right now are Sauls in ISIS are there? Is a coincidence that on the road to Damascus, now a Muslim city, Saul became Paul? Lets remember, redemption is available to all people, not matter if they are murderer or a mighty prayer warrior, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us," (Romans 5:8), "This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:3-5), and "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). '

That being said, we do not seek revenge, but in time Jesus will avenge us and vengeance belongs to Lord, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord," (Romans 12:19), "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them," (Deuteronomy 32:35), "They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters--their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred--had joined them." (Revelation 6:10-11). The point is that until Jesus Returns to Judge, we aren't suppose to judge people (). Because Christ desires all to be saved, we are to love our enemy, but that does not mean our enemy will repent and be saved, and so judgement and justice will come to our enemies if they are not redeemed. For those who are not changed as Saul was into Paul, wrath and judgement await, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son," (John 3:18) and "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, [dazzling] white and clean, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword (His word) with which He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He will tread the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty [in judgment of the rebellious world]. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name inscribed, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:13-16). Until Christ comes the clouds (Revelation 1:7) we are to love our enemies and preach the Gospel to them, and seek their salvation, but should they refuse to repent and be redeemed in Lamb's Blood, they shall receive the punishment they deserve and worse (Revelation 20:10, Revelation 21:9).