"Over 120 dead
in Paris: another terrorist attack committed by Muslims who are loyal to
ISIS. Reactions are many: anger, sadness, outrage, confusion, despair,
fear. What do we do now? How should Christians respond? Ephesians 4:26 tells us
“In your anger do not sin.” Anger and outrage are appropriate responses to a
tragedy such as this because they are, at least in part, a cry for justice.
They are a cry that wants those responsible to receive a just penalty for the
atrocities they committed. But how can we express this anger and not sin? How
do we deal with it in a God-honoring way?
One way is to
support our government leaders as they now make decisions on the appropriate
course of action to take. Paul writes in Romans 13:4 that our leaders “bear the
sword” and that they are the ones who God has given the task of visiting
“punishment on the wrongdoer.” President Obama, Prime Minister Cameron and,
especially, President Hollande have very trying and difficult decisions to make
in the days ahead. We can support them with our prayers for godly wisdom on how
to act justly in the aftermath of this tragedy.
But what about the
rest of us—those of us who hold no government office? Many of us may be tempted
to somehow take out our anger on Muslims in our community. Perhaps we are
tempted to an increased suspicion and mistrust of Muslims, or tempted to listen
to those voices in our society who will justify our fears. These are human
reactions and in many ways understandable. But the second great commandment
calls us as followers of Christ to something higher and better: “Love your
neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) Yes, these were ISIS Muslims who
committed these horrific acts, but most Muslims do not embrace
their Islamic radicalism. Your Muslim neighbor probably wants nothing to
do with ISIS and is feeling increasingly isolated by every act that ISIS
carries out that causes non-Muslims to view them with greater suspicion or even
to shun them completely. As I took to Facebook today I saw Muslim friends who
desperately were trying to distance themselves from the attackers by expressing
their support for Parisians and posting their thoughts on what Islam should be
and what Muslims should do. Instead of giving a Muslim co-worker the cold
shoulder or exchanging angry words with a fellow student, as Christ-followers,
let’s press in with his love for Muslims we know. At the end of the day,
regardless of the political outcomes, Muslims still need Christ.
More Muslims are coming to Christ
right now than at any other point in history. Myriad Muslims are turning
from their religion because of the horrors committed by groups like ISIS. We
must not let fear keep us from being a part of the greatest harvest of Muslims
that the Kingdom of Jesus has ever seen! Let us remember: “God has not given us
a spirit of fear. But he has given us a spirit of power and love and
self-control.” (I Timothy 1:7)"
by permission from:
http://commanetwork.com/responding-to-paris/
