A Slightly Skewed Viewpoint

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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12

When the news, media, and extremists continue to spew forth lies and reactionary hatred against the Muslim world, is it any surprise that so many Americans see a veil or a turban as a threat to their life and liberty? The world is beginning to choose sides with an "us versus them" mentality, and Christianity seems to be participating enthusiastically in the division. The only problem is that the Bible stands in direct conflict with these divisive maneuvers and strictly forbids the hatred that lives subversively within them.



Image by Magharebia via FlickrImage by antonioperezrio.com via FlickrThe non-Arab world's anger would have us dehumanize Muslims and turn them in to a seething mass of evil threatening our borders, our children, and our faith. If we allow that dehumanization, if we allow ourselves to see an Arab man or woman as part of an "it" rather than as a "he" or "she," we detach ourselves from their lost and hurting condition and open ourselves up to the enemy's machinations. So let us take a moment to acknowledge that the Muslim people are just that; people. They are men and women, fathers, mothers, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles, friends, teachers, and neighbors. They have dreams, fears, and a desire for relationship that their god does not fulfill. They are people who spend hours crying out into emptiness in hopes that a non-existent higher being will grant them favor. The fact that this devout, but misguided, group has gone astray should not incite hatred, nor should it cause us to fear. For all have strayed from the will of the King at some point. Instead, let it incite us to prayer. Let us be called to serve God's children with the same love and compassion shown by His only Son who willingly laid down His life for us while we were still neck deep in our own depravity. Let us be moved to shine our light into the darkest spiritual prison cells because a tiny light brings hope to the captive. Let us do as Jesus has done, rather than as the world would have us do.

Image by Roobee via Flickr

I know. I have stepped up on my soapbox again. But here's the thing; if I hadn't, the propagandists would have. So many voices screaming for vengeance. But, believers, our Bible is very clear on the right to avenge:

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Rom 12:19

In fact, for those who must see the Arab world as an enemy, the response God requires of you is even more dramatic. For the Word continues:

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Rom 12:20

Jesus spoke often about enemies and neighbors, and how we are to love both. In His Sermon on the Mount, he reminded his disciples (and reminds us today) that the world's guidance regarding treatment of the two does not define our responsibilities as Christ's people:

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemy.'But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children 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. Matt 5:43-45

I guess I'm odd. I don't see the Muslim people as my "enemy." Returning to the Scripture that opens this post, the battle I fight is not against "flesh and blood," but against the evil one and the lies he uses to tear apart God's people. From a global perspective, I see Muslims as my neighbors, whom I am called to love as much as (if not, more than) myself. And that love prods me to pray fervently, provide practical assistance, and support those willing to take the Gospel into unreached lands.

Brothers and sisters, if you take only two things away from this diatribe on love, let it be these:

1) God calls us to love neighbors, enemies, and all of his lost sheep
2) When we harbor hatred in our hearts, we cannot also harbor love. Thus, in order to answer the call of number 1, we must purge our hearts of hatred through honest self-examination, forgiveness, and prayer. Give that anger you carry to God; let him lighten your burden so you can carry His Word farther into the world.

And if you need an example or justification for this love and forgiveness, you need only look to the Cross.

(A painting done by our friend TJ Grant. Check out his blog at http://40minus1.blogspot.com/)

He willingly laid down His life in one of the most agonizing ways possible in order to pay off a debt of sin that neither you, nor I, could ever have paid ourselves.

Thank you, Jesus. Let me love your lost sheep with as much passion and ferocity as you have loved me. Amen.