I went to bed last night a bit more inspired than usual because of a few videos from www.TED.com. But today, I find myself an angry man searching for answers.
You see I read the following articles. Yes, I know, if you don’t want indigestion don’t eat spicy foods. While I’m not overly fond of spicy foods, I do love Christ as my Savior and His people, the church, so I’m rightfully interested in what’s going on.
First article, “Crying to Jesus before Execution” (God protect them!)
Second, “Removing Crosses, Welcoming Muslims” (Sensible people do exist!)
If you chose to read those articles, I think you will understand why I am justifiably angry today.
I am angry because the world has flagrantly disregarded the murder of 11,000+ non-combatants, the kidnapping, rape, enslavement, and murder of women and young girls in the name of Islam. Why aren’t more people outraged? Why aren’t more Muslims outraged at the violation of their faith? Why isn’t the world bombing the crap out of ISIS? What will it take for the world to realize that evil has to be treated like a contagious disease? How many more 12 year olds have to be tortured, mutilated, crucified, and then beheaded, before the world says, “Enough!”
Because just like the refugee children that drowned, this murdered boy could have been my son, nephew, cousin, or little brother. Make no mistake, ISIS will continue to spread if unchecked. They will murder, torture, rape, and destroy the world they hate to the genocidal contentment of their evil hearts. The Western world will be living this same nightmare if we don’t act now. The people who are murdered will be friends, neighbors, family, and you.
Now, there are some persons in the US and Europe that advocate accommodating Islam at the expense Christianity in particular, and other religions in general. First, there is a bishop in Sweden that advocates stripping churches of Christianity to provide a place of worship for visiting Muslims. Second, the USA continues to war with its own history and heritage as a place of refuge for Christians suffering religious persecution. Third, the Middle Eastern Christians and Israel decry the violence perpetrated against them in the name of hate and the world ignores them. This is a very slippery slope that WAY too many people are riding. Do we really expect ISIS to stop because we have somehow accomodated them? Will they be content to stop because a few treats were thrown their way? No, they will exploit every weakness, every crack, every division, every accomodation until all the world is under the black flag!
We cannot allow our vigilance to slip any further. We cannot allow our personal or national identity to deteriorate any further. We cannot allow the bickering and polarization to continue. We cannot sit back and expect that, “It will all work out in the end.” The people of Jerusalem rebuilt the broken walls in 52 days, but not with patience or ignorance. They built it with determination and vigilance sword in one hand, shovel in the other. (Nehemiah 4:12-15; 6:15) Just as insects and vermin enter our homes through neglect and cracks in the walls, ISIS will walk right in and infest our divided countries. Once infested only two things can happen, either the people leave or the house comes down. We cannot wait until our only choice is to burn our house down. We must build our walls and hang our gates. (Nehemiah 3)
This is my struggle. I am a Christian. I believe in peace. I believe in love. I believe in religious liberty. I believe in hospitality. I believe that Jesus died for all persons. But does God want me to be complacent while children are tortured? I think God wants me to strive for my faith and for the safety of others (Jude 23). I think God expects me to build a hedge of protection around my house with thick walls and strong gates. I will strive to defend my family and friends against every evil that comes against us!
As always, please provide your kind, respectful, and helpful comments. I look forward to reading them. Pray for the peace and protection of those Iraqi and Syrian Christians in the devils path. Peace be to you!
