Today we are faced with a preacher in Florida, Terry Jones, deciding it is time to take a stand against a particular religion which is not Christianity. The religion is seen by him as a violent religion, one that kills, terrorizes, and spouts hate for those outside of that particular religion.
At one time in history, Christianity forced people to become Christian under the threat of death. There was the dark period of the Inquisition in Christian history and even when Martin Luther was trying to get the church to allow lay members of the church to have access to the Bible, he was faced with imprisonment, we tend to forget. Now, I am not equating Christianity to any of the violent religions of today, but I am pointing out the fact that we are not blameless ourselves in our own religion.
Christians are encouraged to spread the word of the Gospel. We are not to lock horns with an opposing force in the way the Pator Jones is intending. When God sent out the Twelve in Luke 9:1-6 he told them "If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town as a testimony against them." Our confrontation of pagan religions is by exampling Christ and with wisdom and prayer.
Terry Jones, the Florida pastor who is planning a Koran-burning rally to protest the 9/11 terrorist attacks, plans to go through with the event despite warnings from the White House and the U.S. commander in Afghanistan that the protest could harm American soldiers. Politics and religion are becoming meshed together in all avenues of life. Christianity has stopped being Christian and has now become political.
*following exceprt from my soon to be released book: "The Politics Of Prayer."
The interchangeability of the word Christian and one’s political affiliation may be due also to the lack of understanding of the definition of the word Christian. The word Christian is used in Acts 9:13 and I Peter 4:16 and is defined as a disciple or follower of Christ. I particularly like the definition of a Christian in an anonymous quote I stumbled upon: “A Christian is one who makes it easier for other people to believe in God.”
Jesus left parting words as the standard for how a Christian is to behave in their personal and public life: “You have heard that it was said, ‘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 sons 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 those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48). This is the standard for behavior when we deal with people and the Christian must always be cautious to separate people from issues. The word neighbor means fellow, as a man, countryman, Christian or friend. It was used in a very comprehensive scope in the passage.
Terrorism is a real threat to America and needs to be addressed with prayer, wisdom and all of the other strategies our defense department has instituted. But Christians have a different responsibility and that is to be ambassordors of God. Be the person that when people see you and witness your life they will want to come to God.
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