Heal the Hate; Remembering 9/11

In the last few days on the news, it was reported that a pastor in Florida wants to
burn the book holy to the Muslims on the anniversary of 9/11.

Even though he only pastors a church of about 50 people, the story has gotten world wide
coverage of the news.

I am thankful to see that many Christian leaders are standing up and saying that the
actions of this congregation, do not reflect the true sentiment of the Christian faith or teachings.

The Bible warns us that in the last days there will be false prophets and teachers.

When we read God’s word, we protect ourselves from being lead astray by false teachings,
and help promote peace and unity in our world.

Many have been upset at the Muslims from wanting to build a community center 2 blocks
away from where the Sept. 11 attacks took place.

People from all faiths died in these attacks, and we must remember that those who
did these horrible things were radical in their faith and beliefs.

Jesus taught us not to judge one another, or we will be judged.

We must be very careful not to judge everyone in a particular religion or denomination,
by the actions or warped behavior of a few.

The Bible says…

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1 Corinthians 8:3

God wants his children to reflect his love, and He is the Creator of all things, even
our enemies.

We must remember that often times, when his people were living in rebellion against
His commands, He would allow them to be persecuted or captured by their enemies,
to get them to repent and turn back to him.

When He delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians who kept them in slavery
for many years, he said…

Deuteronomy 10:19
Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

God wanted them to remember how it felt to be mistreated, and to love strangers

and be kind.

Some time ago, a man who was from a foreign land was taking classes to become a citizen

of the United States. People were unkind to him about his speech and when he lost

his job, he became angry and hostile toward those who were trying to help him.

He went into the building and shot several people and then killed himself.

This is a tragic example of what can happen when we tease or taunt others who

are different than us.

Many are unkind and disrespectful to aliens, but God warned us that this in not how

we as Christians should act.

When God allows our enemies to come against us, we are not to treat them with

contempt or torture them.

He can give us the power and wisdom to defeat our enemies and keep us safe.

The Bible tells us that Perfect Love casts out fear.

We don’t need to spend our time fighting or fearing others of different faiths.

God’s word says…

2 Kings 17:39
But the LORD your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.

King David wrote…

Psalm 18:48
He delivers me from my enemies.You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.

God loves the whole world so much that he allowed his Son to come down to earth and be persecuted and killed by his enemies.

When his disciple Peter cut off the ear of the enemy, Jesus told him to put down the sword and healed the man.

Jesus wants us to follow his example and treat others as he has treated us.

He reached out to a criminal on the cross and said, today you will be with me in paradise.

One of his last statements on the cross was, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

People kill and hate one another, because they have not been taught to love and forgive.

Hurting people always hurt others.

Jesus gave us the Bible and commanded us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature…

even our enemies.

God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth…so we have no right to hurt others

and think they are less worthy to receive forgiveness than we are.

1 John 3:23 says…
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

Jesus warned in the last days there would be those who would try to distort the truth and spread hate around the world.

As we read the word, the Holy Spirit helps us discern the truth from the spirit of error.

1 John 4:6-8 says…
We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:21
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

In Luke 6:27-28 Jesus taught us..
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Luke 10:27
So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”

Our enemies and those of other religions need to see the love of Jesus through us. He commanded us to pray for those who are unkind, and share his message of hope with them.

We do not have to resort to violence to defeat our enemies, for if is God is for us, no one can stand against us.
God promises that we will be rewarded greatly for loving our enemies.

We should treat others who come into our country with love and respect, welcome them, help them, and invite them to church and
studying God’s word.

A young man who has spent many years in prison, recently told me that he will be getting out soon. He has been forgiven by
God, yet was sad and discouraged because he wrote to 2 churches in the town where he will be relocating, and they told him
he was not welcome because he’d been in prison.

He asked, if God forgave me, why can’t other Christians?
If we’re going to live together in heaven, why don’t they want me in their community?

Brothers and sisters, it is apparent that we have a great deal of work to do for the LORD.

God says that all things work together for good for those who love him.

Perhaps he has allowed us to see the hatred and bigotry of a few on both sides of 2 religions, to show us
how extremism and hate divide and hurt our world.

We must be very careful who we elect as our government leaders, and not unite with those who
continually stir up anger, strife, and hatred among others, or encourage us to treat others with
disrespect.

We can remember vividly how Hitler’s hatred for the Jews, caused the death and mistreatment of thousands.

We must not sit inactively by and allow radical extremists of any faith to take over our world.

I pray you will join with me in sharing the message of the Gospel with the others.

Be a generation of world changers, and use the open door God has given us, to talk to one another
about “life changing issues” to promote and bring peace.

Each one can reach one!

Beloved, let us not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

Father how is must grieve you to see your children treating others with disrespect and unkindly.
Forgive us and help us to reflect your love to all people. Give comfort and peace to all who lost loved ones on 9/11.
Help us to welcome those who are aliens into our nations. Give us hearts of compassion to help the poor;
for your word says, those who give to the poor will not lack. You sacrificed your life for us and offered us the free gift
of eternal life. May our words and actions reflect the light of your love to our neighbors, family,
those in prison, and our enemies. Keep us safe from harm and danger, and give us the courage
to stand up for what is right, even when we are persecuted for our faith. You have said, blessed
are the merciful, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God.

Father we ask you to change the heart of the pastor and his congregation in Florida so they will use their
lives, gifts, and talents to promote peace and love as you have taught us.
With you, all things are possible.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Romans 13:10
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,
Valerie Rousseau