Anyone reading a newspaper or listening and viewing radio and television newscasts are well aware of the new heightened tensions that surround our nation and world. Things are heating up and of course every form of prognostication is occurring with the use of these events. When the horrific events of September 11, 2001 happened, I found it necessary at that time to comment about the meaning of those things with a letter entitled, "A MESSAGE FOR AMERICA." It can still be found posted on our website at www.lotc.com and I know its message is relevant to the times we are in right now two years later.
However what would Jesus be saying to this issue of war and peace. Many in our society today believe that Jesus would be a pacifist and stand with all the protesters we have seen recently around the world and our own cities.
However I do not believe this at all. Here is why. Do not confuse His mission of making peace between God and Man with the same thing as having peace on earth. Jesus taught that there would be wars and rumors of wars. He said, nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. He did not protest Rome to stop there aggression against Israel but rather told the people of the City to escape the coming judgment. Jesus would tell the good people of Iraq to flee Bagdhad because the principle of Roman justice was coming to tear it away from tyranny and rebellion. In addition, Jesus often complimented and blessed centurions. A Roman soldier. He did not call him a baby killer or hater of peace.
However there is such unprecedented and disturbing opposition to our nation that in my opinion is alarming and deserves some analysis.
In my opinion, it is naive to believe that peace can come to any situation through negotiation or misguided compassion.
Every nation has a right to defend the coming and going of its citizens. The weapons of destruction in he hands of villains in today's world require a vigilance lat exceeds the previous boundaries of the past.
This conflict and those administrating its purpose has no resemblance to the battles of recent history This is a new day with a new kind of enemy who seeks without conscience to ruin or at least upset our way of life. Already evidenced by the tension of heightened security and investigation.
You may ask why there is such hatred in their hearts and you would obtain many reasons but I believes that what lies at the root of the conflict is our support of the nation of Israel. A nation they do not even confess exists and wish to destroy.
Do they believe they can succeed? They (Islamic fascists, Al Qaida terrorists, Arab terrorist groups such as Islamic Jihad, Hamas and others who send in suicide bombers) believe they can succeed in weakening our will and let go of our support.
As a result of this we are in the middle of a political, philosophical, and military conflict that could directly affect our society much in the days ahead. Let us remember that our own freedom to assemble and protest may be guaranteed by the Constitution but it is upheld by the sacrifice of our men and women who wear he uniform and defend American power and the will to be fee.
How so many are forgetting that the only reason they have a place to protest without fear is because the people of this nation from its birth till now have defended that right to be free.
As we pray together in the love and power of spirit, my mind and heart is with all of our American families whose sons and daughters are being called upon to make sacrifices for the freedom and liberty we hold dear to our hearts. No greater sacrifice of love can one make than to lay down their life for others.
