The Terrorists Strike Again!
Well, the terrorists are at it again. England and Scotland are in their sights and have people living “on the edge.” It’s just a matter of time before we join them again. I heard this morning that prognosticators are predicting some major hits or at least attempts this summer. Personally, I agree with those who have long said, “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.”
The problem with all this is that it is very reminiscent of Vietnam. Anyone who served in that war knows that terrorists are hard to defeat. When the enemy looks like, dresses like, and sometimes talks like you, how do you tell the difference? Add to that the fact that a lone man sitting up in a tree or hiding in a hole is much more difficult to detect and defeat than an advancing army. We discovered that in Southeast Asia. The only difference today is that the tree is now a bus, car, train, or passenger flying on a commercial aircraft. The whole thing can be very unnerving!
As I was thinking about that this morning, however, a scripture passage came to mind, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”
Did you hear that? “The terror of the Lord!” It’s the word “phobos” from which we get phobia. It means “terror, dread, fear that strikes at the very heart!” (2 Co 5:10-11) Yes, Paul feared God! He did not fear losing his salvation, but he did fear upsetting his Heavenly Father and missing out on a reward. He knew that he must one day stand before Him and did not want to be disappointed when that day arrived. Love “constrained” him (2 Cor 5:14), but fear “inspired” him!
We are afraid of so many things, most of them beyond our control. I am afraid that terrorism is here to stay. Our children and grandchildren are destined to live amid threats and dangers. When your enemy will only be satisfied with your total annihilation, even surrender is not an option! Yet, there is something else. My grandmother used to say, “This world and one more!” After the terrorists, after stock market crashes, civil unrest, and pandemics… there is still God! Man will face Him… ready or not… and the results will be eternal. I’m not saying that we must live in fear. I am only suggesting that God deserves our highest devotion and respect. And, if you are not right with Him… a little terror is not bad!
I am glad that governments are at least trying to prevent terrorists from carrying out their dastardly plans. Most of them will be prevented… some will not! “This world and one more!” I think I will take this world seriously but give my heart to the next.
The problem with all this is that it is very reminiscent of Vietnam. Anyone who served in that war knows that terrorists are hard to defeat. When the enemy looks like, dresses like, and sometimes talks like you, how do you tell the difference? Add to that the fact that a lone man sitting up in a tree or hiding in a hole is much more difficult to detect and defeat than an advancing army. We discovered that in Southeast Asia. The only difference today is that the tree is now a bus, car, train, or passenger flying on a commercial aircraft. The whole thing can be very unnerving!
As I was thinking about that this morning, however, a scripture passage came to mind, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”
Did you hear that? “The terror of the Lord!” It’s the word “phobos” from which we get phobia. It means “terror, dread, fear that strikes at the very heart!” (2 Co 5:10-11) Yes, Paul feared God! He did not fear losing his salvation, but he did fear upsetting his Heavenly Father and missing out on a reward. He knew that he must one day stand before Him and did not want to be disappointed when that day arrived. Love “constrained” him (2 Cor 5:14), but fear “inspired” him!
We are afraid of so many things, most of them beyond our control. I am afraid that terrorism is here to stay. Our children and grandchildren are destined to live amid threats and dangers. When your enemy will only be satisfied with your total annihilation, even surrender is not an option! Yet, there is something else. My grandmother used to say, “This world and one more!” After the terrorists, after stock market crashes, civil unrest, and pandemics… there is still God! Man will face Him… ready or not… and the results will be eternal. I’m not saying that we must live in fear. I am only suggesting that God deserves our highest devotion and respect. And, if you are not right with Him… a little terror is not bad!
I am glad that governments are at least trying to prevent terrorists from carrying out their dastardly plans. Most of them will be prevented… some will not! “This world and one more!” I think I will take this world seriously but give my heart to the next.
2 Comments:
I was led to Psalm 73 after reading this blog. Verse 6 (NIV) reads, "Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence." This describes today's terrorists perfectly. It seems as though they define themselves in violence; almost as if the anger and desire for violence comes first and the agenda which (to them) justifies it comes later, tacked on as an afterthought. It doesn't seem fair, at first glance, that we should live in fear of such meaningless oppression! But the psalmist says in vv. 16-17 (NIV), "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny."
The fear these terrorists inspire seems but a minor annoyance compared to the "final destiny" that awaits them. God has a plan. As hard as it is to believe, terrorism has a role and purpose in that plan. Whether you are privy to it or not, rest assured that God will have His vengeance, and that when He does these fanatics will know what true Terror looks like!
"Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!" (Ps. 37:18-19, NIV)
Fearless Faith
While it may be an unpopular opinion and possibly labeled as extremist do you know I think the perfect case study for faith, albeit misguided faith, without fear is...
___________ I'll let you fill in the blank.
I'm not saying there are not perfect examples of Christians who in all things live for God with a fearful reverance and with their eyes on the prize, no matter what obsticle, even death, is in front of them...
I guess what I am saying is that what these extremists are doing is ancient and basic...what they do by filling hearts with terror is an expression of faith and a lack of fear for what this earth is all about...
What sort of risks do you take? What does the world see of its Christians? What do your neighbors see of you...Does fear prevent you from being a riskier Christian, from being part of the only religion that can counteract terror with the message of forgiveness, love without boundaries, and eternal belonging...We are the antidote, the cure, but we have to be just as fearless as the ones who want to spread the disease of terror...
According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace do you know what the largest growing religion is in the world is? Islam...the world sees faith in action...sees men and women who aren't caught up in a materialistic meaningless world who are making eternal decisions that they are willing to die for...
Mahatma Gandhi is famous for some of his quotes regarding Christianity and Christians...I'll leave you with a couple that you may be familiar with...
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are nothing like your Christ"
and this one is my favorite and probably a good closing...
"There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever”
What did fear prevent you from today?
JG
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