As I woke up Sunday morning and turned on the news, I was sickened by what I saw. Another senseless attack by a radical Islamic terrorist. As it unfolded, it’s revealed that fifty people were killed and another fifty-three were injured – one of the largest single attacks ever on American soil. So many families destroyed, altered and changed forever because of the heinous acts of a hateful man.
The politicians and media are now trying to make sense of it all and pass blame to wherever they can. Some are attempting to gain leverage to help support their causes, like gun control, or banning immigrants, etc. I’m not going to get into a political debate, but what I am going to discuss is what I feel is the real underlying issue and cause. It is that of hate and pure evil. To commit an act such as this, and others that have been committed across the U.S and the world, one has to be filled with hate and evil.
I know all of you reading this would never, ever, commit or even think of doing something like this. But how often do we demonstrate this on a small scale? How often are we jealous of someone for their success or accomplishments? How often do we talk bad and tear down a co-worker or family member behind their back? How often do we rip this group or that group because they are different than us? This is our sinful nature and not what God intended for us. God wants us to love others as he does. God also wants us to love our enemies, even the radical terrorists who wants to kill us. This is not easy to do. But only by the grace of God can we truly love others the way he intended us to do. And by doing so we recognize and respect them as God intended.
Matthew 5:43-44 ~ “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” ~ Jesus
1 John 4:7-8 ~ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
“Dear Lord, I pray for all the victims and families of this senseless shooting in Orlando. I pray that Christians all over the world will be able to pour out your love to all people – even our enemies. Forgive us when we fail to love others like we should. It’s in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”