I'm sure that all of you have been following the amazing story of the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden. I have been watching the reaction to this story with great interest. To be honest, I have mixed feelings. On one hand I am glad to know that one of the enemies to our country and to freedom as we know it is no longer a threat to us (though there are still many threats - Bin Laden's death does not even come close to ending the threat of terrorism).
But on the other hand, it is very difficult for me to rejoice in the death of any human. I rejoice in justice - no question - especially as I remember my reaction on that day the Twin Towers fell in New York and the Pentagon was on fire in D.C. But I heard the story of one pastor who greeted his neighbor with the words, "Happy Dead Bin Laden Day!" Frankly, that just didn't set right.
Sometimes I think we as followers of Jesus forget that though we have physical enemies to our country, our real battle as Christians is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of wickedness at work in this world. Why is that we as followers of Jesus are more known for who and what we are against than we are who and what we are for? Am I glad that Bin Laden was captured and justice served? Absolutely. Am I rejoicing in the fact that today he is eternally separated from a loving God who sent Jesus to die for him? Not at all.
There is really only one finality of an enemy that will bring my heart joy. It is going to happen someday as recorded in Revelation 20:10 - "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
But on the other hand, it is very difficult for me to rejoice in the death of any human. I rejoice in justice - no question - especially as I remember my reaction on that day the Twin Towers fell in New York and the Pentagon was on fire in D.C. But I heard the story of one pastor who greeted his neighbor with the words, "Happy Dead Bin Laden Day!" Frankly, that just didn't set right.
Sometimes I think we as followers of Jesus forget that though we have physical enemies to our country, our real battle as Christians is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of wickedness at work in this world. Why is that we as followers of Jesus are more known for who and what we are against than we are who and what we are for? Am I glad that Bin Laden was captured and justice served? Absolutely. Am I rejoicing in the fact that today he is eternally separated from a loving God who sent Jesus to die for him? Not at all.
There is really only one finality of an enemy that will bring my heart joy. It is going to happen someday as recorded in Revelation 20:10 - "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
2 comments:
Pastor Scott:
I am glad that Bin Laden is no longer a resident of this planet. I am saddened that he did not receive Jesus as Lord before he assumed room temperature. I would be happy to be able to see him on the day that "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord"!
And you are right, Gail - one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. For some, however, this declaration will be too late.
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