Be A 24/7 Christian

So, to apply this to the tragedies of September 11th: we can be angry at the evil. We should hate that horrible sin and pray for God’s divine justice. But at the same time, in view of God’s mercy on us, we pray for those evil men that they may repent and believe. We forgive them their horrible sins, just as God in Christ has forgiven us our horrible sins. We respond in love. We do not take out personal vengeance on Arabs or Muslims. We overcome evil with good.

Now by saying this, I do not mean that the U.S. government should stand idly by, while her citizens are attacked. God has granted the government the right of the sword, the right to punish and to protect its citizens, the right to be his instrument of justice. In Romans 13, Paul says of the government: “It is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” The government has the God-given right and responsibility of protecting its citizens.

So, as Christians, in view of God’s mercies which are new every morning, let us not speak out in hate and anger over the crimes of September 11th. Rather, let us lift our voices in prayer and love. Let’s pray to God for our government and President Bush that they may act wisely. Let’s pray to God that Osama Bin Laden and all terrorists repent and find forgiveness in Jesus. God wants us to pray for those who persecute us. And also, let’s speak kindly to all people... even those who treat us poorly, even those who speak bad of us, even those who hate us.

It’s not easy. It’s a struggle, a battle, a war. By nature we want to say, “that’s not fair.” But in view of the mercy that God has shown us, let us every day, 24/7, overcome evil with good, hatred with love. Because being a Christian is not just a Sunday morning commitment. It is a life-long struggle to show love. 24/7. Amen.