There Is an Answer to Hate
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There Is an Answer to Hate
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This article from the Crescent Project is a compelling response to the call for jihad and rage.
From the Crescent Project. The 21st century is not the age of peace and justice, but of bloodshed and hate. Hate did not just erupt over this past weekend. Hate has been woven throughout human history, has started every war, evoked every act of violence, and authored all corruption. In recent times the word “hate” has been shamefully thrown around to label anyone who disagrees with a person, as if having different opinions is the ultimate atrocity. Then, just days ago, we were awakened with a genuine atrocity: news that Jihadi terrorists had murdered hundreds of young men and women in the Israeli desert. To see these images is reminiscent of the terrorism of ISIS that we saw years ago and hoped to never see again. In response to this attack, the Israeli military machine began bombarding Gaza. To date, many innocent civilians on all “sides” and from all backgrounds have been and are still caught in the crossfire.
Before we do a “Pray for” post with some group’s flag, please know that the issues at hand are not simple. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, Muslims have claimed that Jihad does not mean war. Today, however, the Iranian Shia Imams, as well as Sunni Jihadi leaders are calling for a worldwide Jihad. The mask has been removed! Jihad, as it turns out, is warfare with the purpose of spreading the religion of Islam. This follows the Quran, which advocates the destruction of non-Muslims, including Jews and Christians (9:5; 9:29).
In the past days, I listened to an Arab professor justifying the slaughter of children and their families. It was disgusting and awful. There is no justification for terrorism in any form, at the hand of any group, for any reason! The concept of “eye for an eye,” and “violence against violence” is a vicious circle that never ends! Human history, especially of this region, confirms this! Politicians, religious leaders, talk show hosts, reporters and social media contributors shout their “red-faced” opinions as fact, yet miss the entire issue at hand, which is:
Our world is sick of hate and violence. IN EVERY FORM!
Hate plants more hate! -and the offspring of HATE is always more HATE!
When we hate even our enemy, according to God’s Word, we “miss the mark”—we sin! The Lord Jesus clearly said that hate is a sin and hate is the root for all murder and violence –-by any name, any label.
Where do we, as Christ-followers, stand?
The only hope for this world is Jesus, the Messiah, and the radical change only He can produce, one heart at a time! Only the Lord Jesus can purify our hearts and minds and foster love one for another.
In Lebanon, I saw hate swell up to wars, battles, and massacres — and this hate infected my own heart. I was a product of my own broken, hate-filled culture. Then God stirred in me a higher calling, a higher view, to see people — ALL PEOPLE — as He wanted me to see them, and not the way the winds of politics wanted me to see them. I repented from hating Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims — and I have never been the same. As Jesus can completely change one person like me, the power of God’s love and forgiveness can save nations!
So, I ask you:
Is God’s arm “too short” to affect what is happening among the nations at this moment? Has our concept of God become so small, making God out to be some weak “nice old man,” that we forget that He is the One who created all things, who alone holds ultimate justice, along with our entire world in His hands?
Habakkuk 1:5 says, “Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told…”
Stand with us to share the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel with every person you meet today —especially Muslims, who have never heard– and the Christians, whose concept of God has become anything less than the Mighty One who saves!
Pray for peace. Speak words of peace. Share peace. As Jesus taught us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matt 5:9)
From the Crescent Project. By Fouad Masri. Photo credit: argus456 from Getty Images.
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In Heb 12:24 it is stated that we have come to “Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel”. In what sense is the shedding of the blood of Jesus comparable with the blood shed by Abel?
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
In Heb 12, the writer encourages Christians to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:1-2). He then went on to warn that we should look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. Then the writer goes on to remind us that we have “not come to a physical mountain” (Heb 12:18-21) which although was an awesome event, is exceeded by the fact that we have now come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the church whose members are “registered in heaven” as we have come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, to the blood that speaks better than the blood shed by Abel (Heb 12:22-24).
Isn’t it wonderful to know that as Christians and members of the church, our names are “enrolled” in heaven? Jesus said in Luke 10:20: “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: “ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
The passage in Heb 12:24 explains that the blood of Jesus speaks of “better things” or testifies of greater things than the blood of Abel. Going back to the writer’s earlier remark in Heb 11:4, it was written: “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” In other words, God had accepted Abel’s sacrifice because it was offered “by faith” (in contrast with that offered by his brother, Cain) and that highlighted that Abel was accepted by God as being “righteous” (i.e. doing what is right by God). For offering a better sacrifice than Cain, He was killed by his own brother; in that sense his blood was shed as a result of doing what is right.
Abel’s shed blood and his death, speaks of the sacrifice he offered to and accepted by God. In like manner, Jesus was killed by the Jews but in His death and the shedding of His blood on the cross, Jesus brought better things than the blood shed by Abel – because His blood was shed for a better covenant (Heb 8:6). A better covenant because it was established on “better promises”. As explained in Heb 10:11-14, “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
So, in Heb 12:25 we are exhorted today not to “refuse Him who speaks” from heaven through Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2). God “now has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” God has warned that “the things that are made”, i.e. the physical creation, will be “removed” at His Second Coming (Heb 9:27-28).
It is important to note that “the things that are made” (i.e. the works of creation, i.e. the earth and the works that are in it” – 2 Pet 3:7-12) were not “removed” at the destruction of Jerusalem. It will be removed on the day of Judgement – “the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet 3:7, 10).
Christians have been born again into the kingdom of God’s dear son (John 3:5; Col 1:13) which will remain after the removal of the earth and the works in it: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.”
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4: 1-3)
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 For. 13-14)
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