One of the biggest challenges for Christians today in our cruel and sadistic world is resisting the urge to abandon love for justice. But, love for God and one’s neighbor, being the greatest of the commandments, underscores our call and duty as followers of Jesus Christ to not take vengeance for an injury or injustice inflicted upon us or return evil for evil regardless of the opportunity or circumstance.
It’s one thing to defend – it’s quite another to attack. Knowing and accepting the difference, which is not always easy, especially under the stress of perceived danger or heightened emotion, will affect what we say and do, revealing to those watching, particularly those with spiritual discernment, our motive and agenda, be it agape love or something else – not to mention the legitimacy and priority of our witness for Christ.
The Tennessean's Bob Smietana, recently reported: “A new poll from the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life found that—62 percent of white evangelical Protestants surveyed believe that torture is often or sometimes justified.” He went on to say: “The poll also found that 44 percent of all regular churchgoers — regardless of race or denomination — believe that torture is often or sometimes justified.”
My question for that 62 percent and 44 percent is: How do you torture someone you love? How do you witness to someone you have just “waterboarded” or worse for information they may or may not have? If we truly love our enemies, as Jesus commands us to, and are genuinely interested in their conversion and their understanding of God’s love and forgiveness, is such a thing even possible?
We READ: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” – Matthew 24:12-13