We Will Not Forget
Just when Dr. Bruce Wilkinson had gotten everybody praying the "Jabez Prayer’, and the most exciting thing was whether or not Michael Jordan would play basketball again, the terrorist attack happened. And our nation has been playing catch up ever since.
The attacks on September 11 were of such a magnitude, that we haven’t thought much about anything else. Hardly a day has gone by in which there hasn’t been a subtle reminder. The clean up took months, and today’s paper ran an article where someone found a bone believed to be that of one of the victims. It had apparently been thrown miles away by the force of the explosion.
Our days have been sad, and it is hard to imagine that anything could have been worse than this. Each time I look at the pictures of the second plane slamming into the Trade Center (I have the file saved on my computer) followed by the fiery explosion, I am left numb in disbelief. At the time it happened, I didn’t know what to make of it. But one thing I did know; the loss of life would be tremendous.
I’m not sure why, but it never occurred to me that someone
would be so bold as to attack the United States. Obviously, the ideal time to
murder people is when their backs are turned.
We are still angry, and our anger is just. Yet according to Romans 12:21, the only way to overcome evil is with good. I’m sure God has a good reason for recording those words, and there can be no exceptions in this case. Evil only begets more evil. It perpetuates itself until it consumes us. Human nature tells us to strike back; to profile races and lash out at them. But if we respond this way, the terrorist will have won. Hate will make victims out of all of us, but God has a better way.
That’s why I believe that Christianity cannot be a made-up religion. It is the only religion that goes contrary to human nature. By instructing us to use good to overcome evil, rage and anger (human responses) are not allowed to consume our chance of victory.
Many individuals are baffled by the mystery of why God allowed so many innocent people to perish this way. Since God is all knowing, then He must have known the exact plans of these murderers. Since He is all-powerful, He could have stepped in at any point and rescued the victims. How could a merciful loving God have allowed such a massive injustice to succeed?
Obviously, if I could answer this mystery, I would be famous. But I do believe that part of the solution lies in the fact of "free-will". God designed us all with the right to make free moral choices; to choose either good or evil. Adam and Eve used their right to rebel against God thereby creating the state of sin and death that exist today.
On September 11, we witnessed raw naked evil carried out by men who made evil choices. God could immediately erase the consequences of sin, but then we would no longer be free moral agents. We would be robots incapable of expressing sincere devotion or faith in the living God. Without consequences, there is no real choice. Since I hope to one day spend eternity in the presence of God, I make free-will choices that will glorify God and reserve my place in His presence.
I admit that evil workers are waxing worse and worse, but that does not overshadow the holiness of God. God can, and often does, bring good out of the worse adversity. We can see this in the unity of the American people, and the renewed patriotism in our neighborhoods.
I recently heard a radio commentary where a pastor of a denominational organization commented on his view of why this tragedy happened. It was so simple to him. After all, he had just prayed a few days earlier for God to do something to change the backsliding of America. He recalled feeling the presence and power of God that night in a powerful way. He was particularly critical of the abortionist, homosexuals and feminist. His conclusion was that this horrible carnage was God’s answer to his prayer.
I strongly disagree with this disillusioned pastor and all others who share his views. It is true that there are people in radical groups who have agendas that have a secularizing effect on our society. I do not support these groups, and I believe they have done great harm to the American people. But I believe it is unfair to place the blame for this tragedy on these groups. This was the work of antichrist; criminals and murderers seeking to destroy us and make us slaves to fear.
We so quickly point the finger at others without considering our own faults. "It is time for judgment to begin at the house of God" 1 Peter 4:17. We so easily single out the open sins of the gays, but disregard the hidden iniquity in our heart. How can we be so sure that God wasn’t judging our greed, hate, disunity, gossip, pride and lack of love and accountability among the Christian community? This was a terrorist act, but what about the floods and storms that ravage our communities; turning them into National Disaster areas. How can we say that the winds that blew our houses off their foundations were not God telling us Christians straighten up?
Christians need to be cautious about carelessly pointing the finger of blame on others, and consider our own shortcomings. We must wake up, pull together, and recognize where the root of this problem exist.
According to our president, Islam is a religion of peace. But as a Christian living in a society of democracy and freedom, I must admit that I have no desire to become a Muslim. Muslims do not believe that a person is born in sin and in need of salvation. They believe that society corrupts a person; therefore to control the influence of sin, one must control society. Therefore Muslim states force religious conformity.
Christianity believes in free-will choice, and so does America. Apparently, free-will choice is why millions of Muslims moved to the United States. You see, God gave every human the right of choice. That right belongs to each person, and when it taken away from him or her, there can be no sincere devotion or worship.
As a Christian, I have certain things that I believe which a basic to my faith. For example, I don’t believe that salvation is possible outside of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. I believe in the Virgin Birth, the Trinity and every word written in the bible. The things that I believe dictate the way I live as well as how I handle my affairs. While we must be tolerant, we can never forget the place that Christianity has in the foundations of our freedom and democracy in our country.
If Islam is such a beautiful religion, why are so many Muslims here? Why are refugees fleeing Muslims states by the multiplied thousands; choosing to face disease and starvation rather than the bondage of forced religious conformity. Muslims come here because there is no grace in Islam. They come to "America", the land of no fear.
I think that it is interesting that if you visit the friendly Muslim state of Saudi Arabia; you are not allowed to speak to a woman in public. Jesus spoke to women in public and showed them respect and honor. He received the sincere worship of the woman who washed his feet with her tears, and of Mary who broke the alabaster box and poured it all on Him. All kinds of women came to Jesus, and He received them all. He knew their hearts.
During His lifetime on earth, Jesus left us an example to follow. The bible makes it clear that the Word of God must find its way into people’s heart; not by force or military power, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
We remember September 11 (9/11), not only for the massive loss of life that occurred that day. But also because the plans of the enemy who tried to destroy our faith in the living God have backfired. We stand united in agreement, confessing that the God of mercy and compassion fights on the side of the righteousness. And if God is for us, no one can come against us and prevail.
By: Edmund Brown