Hatred begets more hatred. If one strikes, another will revenge. Vengeance deepens with each act, each one firmly convicted that what they are doing is right, is deserving of the other party. They even mutilate their own kind for their narrow-minded beliefs that have consumed them. But perhaps to the extremists, they are not of their own. Their own can only be those who share in their convictions, convictions they have no qualms of dying for. In some cases, they must be from the same blood line. The same ethnic group.
In the Old Testament, God directed His people to overcome nations, to leave no stone unturned, and in many cases, no resident alive. But were they cruel in their conquest? I beg to differ. God was ridding the lands of those who had turned to idols. But He always offered grace, a chance to return to what was good, to what was truly right. Today, horrific violence is often carried out in God's name. "For His glory", they say it is. They chant that "God is great" before brutally raping young girls from their own community. How can this be of a God who is compassionate? He would never resort to torture, to turning innocent children into cold-blooded murderers. Taking over other lands was of the past. Jesus came, and with Him, forgiveness, equality, a love and acceptance for all people. Salvation for not just the initial chosen but every single individual. Anyone can be called His child, His friend.
There is too much deception in this world. Too many lies. We're divided amongst ourselves. According to the colour of our skin or the laws we obey. By the leaders we follow, by the weapons we carry. By the lives we are willing to take for the cause we are willing to die for. The methods we use are not of God, a God who is love. A God who is patient with us that none shall have to perish for our sins.
I watched 'The Kingdom' yesterday. A battle between Americans and Saudi Arabians. Even within their own land, they were divided - the government, the police force, the royal family, the 'terrorists'. I witnessed the cruelty, the lack of viewing one another with God's perspective, self centred ambitions, the bureaucracy. I saw success to the plans of the rebels. They praised God continually and offered the sacrifice of innocent lives for His glory. Then they lost many of their own. But the cycle never ends. Those left alive on either side will carry on their mission. Each cell left unharmed will multiply and be armed. Each side wants justice. Wants finality. Closure and victory to what they are fighting so hard for. Each side brings violence and death unwarranted. We too fight each day.
We too take a stand for one of two kingdoms, whether we realise it or not. Spiritual kingdoms. One of life, one of death. Many are pulled further into believing that the latter holds the key to their desires, to unlimited pleasures. They're driven by lust, by lies. They are blinded and are slaves to the master of destruction who will eventually take their lives and leave them with unceasing pain and suffering. The torture of knowing they were wrong; that they are not free. Torture of being separated for eternity from light, from life, from love. From everything they really need, from everything that can truly fulfill. We have the chance now to make a firm choice. To pledge our undying allegiance. It may seem to be so, but our enemy is not one of flesh and blood. Not one of a different descent or belief system. Our enemy hides himself so we think he is not real. So we look instead to those we can see. But let us no longer be deceived. Let us choose what is good, what is right, what does not bring endless brokenness to this world.
In the Old Testament, God directed His people to overcome nations, to leave no stone unturned, and in many cases, no resident alive. But were they cruel in their conquest? I beg to differ. God was ridding the lands of those who had turned to idols. But He always offered grace, a chance to return to what was good, to what was truly right. Today, horrific violence is often carried out in God's name. "For His glory", they say it is. They chant that "God is great" before brutally raping young girls from their own community. How can this be of a God who is compassionate? He would never resort to torture, to turning innocent children into cold-blooded murderers. Taking over other lands was of the past. Jesus came, and with Him, forgiveness, equality, a love and acceptance for all people. Salvation for not just the initial chosen but every single individual. Anyone can be called His child, His friend.
There is too much deception in this world. Too many lies. We're divided amongst ourselves. According to the colour of our skin or the laws we obey. By the leaders we follow, by the weapons we carry. By the lives we are willing to take for the cause we are willing to die for. The methods we use are not of God, a God who is love. A God who is patient with us that none shall have to perish for our sins.
I watched 'The Kingdom' yesterday. A battle between Americans and Saudi Arabians. Even within their own land, they were divided - the government, the police force, the royal family, the 'terrorists'. I witnessed the cruelty, the lack of viewing one another with God's perspective, self centred ambitions, the bureaucracy. I saw success to the plans of the rebels. They praised God continually and offered the sacrifice of innocent lives for His glory. Then they lost many of their own. But the cycle never ends. Those left alive on either side will carry on their mission. Each cell left unharmed will multiply and be armed. Each side wants justice. Wants finality. Closure and victory to what they are fighting so hard for. Each side brings violence and death unwarranted. We too fight each day.
We too take a stand for one of two kingdoms, whether we realise it or not. Spiritual kingdoms. One of life, one of death. Many are pulled further into believing that the latter holds the key to their desires, to unlimited pleasures. They're driven by lust, by lies. They are blinded and are slaves to the master of destruction who will eventually take their lives and leave them with unceasing pain and suffering. The torture of knowing they were wrong; that they are not free. Torture of being separated for eternity from light, from life, from love. From everything they really need, from everything that can truly fulfill. We have the chance now to make a firm choice. To pledge our undying allegiance. It may seem to be so, but our enemy is not one of flesh and blood. Not one of a different descent or belief system. Our enemy hides himself so we think he is not real. So we look instead to those we can see. But let us no longer be deceived. Let us choose what is good, what is right, what does not bring endless brokenness to this world.
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