Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
This past Monday was Patriot Day. Like Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Sept. 11, 2001, is a day to remember attacks on U.S. soil that led to a massive loss of American lives (2,403 at Pearl Harbor and 2,977 on 9/11) and got us into a war.
Unlike World War II, after which we made real peace with our attackers, we never should consider peace with terrorists such as those behind the 9/11 attack. Rather, we must protect ourselves even to the point of personal inconvenience for the good of all and always be on the alert for more attacks.
Terrorism is bullying that’s nothing more than a tool of Satan to instill fear. While God uses fear of punishment to bring us into a loving relationship with him, the expectation is that once we realize the magnitude of his great love, the fear disappears because fear and love cannot coexist (1 John 4:8-18). So we’re not to fear terrorists, or even Satan, because of God’s love for us (1 John 4:4; 5:18-20; Romans 8:31-39; Matthew 10:28-31).
While we can and should be aware of Satan’s schemes to use fear to separate us from God, we must also remember he’s crafty and the likely source of knowledge for terrorists (2 Corinthians 2:11; Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9-12). Satan is out to get us all, not just God’s people, and he’ll use whatever he can to succeed. He even used one of God’s prominent leaders or teachers on more than one occasion (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 2:11-13; Matthew 16:15-23). So we must beware and check everything we’re taught (Acts 17:11).
We can resist Satan because we know his schemes, and God provides us with the tools/armor we need to prevail (James 4:7-10; Ephesians 6:11-18). Recall from 1 John 4:13 that God gives us his Spirit as assurance that we’re his children and so we can bear fruit by the Spirit, the first of which is love (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9-17). Note also the armor of God includes the sword of the Spirit and prayer in the Spirit and that we’re to be alert so we don’t become blind to God’s protection through his word (2 Corinthians 4:1-7).
Otherwise, Christians are to look out for each other’s best interests, especially in regard to sin (1 John 5:16-17; Galatians 6;1-5; James 5:16; Philippians 2:1-4). The process for this is to examine ourselves first to remove the planks blinding us to our own sin and seek forgiveness (Matthew 7:1-5; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Timothy 4:16). Then we can see clearly through righteous eyes to help others and pray for and with them.
As Americans, we need to look out for each other and be alert to protect ourselves, our communities and our country from external and internal acts of terrorism and sin. As the familiar saying goes, “If you see something, say something (Leviticus 5:1).” Standing up as patriots like this might also help stem the tide of increasing crime.
Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].