Christians consumed with hate? - Journals

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Christians consumed with hate?
Jun 25, 2009 at 1:53 AM
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- MommasCooCoo
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I recently received a message about a terrorist group. I will not share the complete contents as it would serve no good purpose. What I will note is this ...the group in question was responsible for killing a Catholic Priest, Rapes, and many many other ghastly acts. Clearly evil....

What do we do? What should 'good Christians' do? How do we respond?

When we are filled with anger, rage and hatred ....it can consume us! We no longer have room for love, forgiveness, tolerance, acceptance and grace.

We lose the ability to be messengers for God.

I believe that only God has the answers. Only God can lead these men and women back from the pits of hell and create a new being in them.

When we are dealing with this kind of evil, it is imperative to seek God's council and not rely on our own means or instincts.

When we act out and send vile messages, call names, accuse, judge, criticize, fight and even kill...WE LOSE!

When we fall into that pit of ugliness right beside THEM....and who celebrates that victory?

Satan!

The devil got another one! Victory! ..for satan!

The devil uses these events to turn our hearts. To harden us. To consume us.

I hope and pray that God will always grant me the grace to forgive all.

Do I believe that terrorists should be held accountable....You betcha!

Should they be punished...yes! I believe we should find those responsible and put them away. ... For the safety of others.

I also believe that they will receive their full punishment before the Lord.

Will I allow hatred and fear to fill my heart and consume me...No way! I pray for them. I pray for their families. I pray for their victims and their families.

I pray that they come to God and ask for forgiveness. I pray that they turn away from evil and become new beings in Christ. I pray that their victims and families have their hearts healed.

Please hear me out....I am no saint...nor do I pretend to be, but I have seen evil. REAL EVIL. I have seen it up close and personal. I have survived things that only nightmares are made of. Did I hate the person responsible...yes! Hate made me bitter, cold, hard and unfeeling. I know it's pull, it's power and I know far too well how easy it is to hate.

Forgiveness was not easy! .. Not even close. But....forgiveness is the only way ..the only path to heal. Forgiveness RE-opened my heart.

Forgiveness is from God...Hatred is not.

I recall the horrible events of the Amish 9/11. Where a man went into an Amish School House and held children and teachers hostage. He killed several and then killed himself. It was such a horrific chain of events...I am sure most can recall this.

Why do I bring this up? What does this have to do with a hate group?

Both incidents are horrible. but...the responses couldn't be more different.

After our 9/11 America wanted revenge, justice, punishment! We went to war!

After the 'Amish 9/11" ...the Amish offered forgiveness.

It was truly remarkable to me to see the power of healing, love and grace in action.

We often talk about what it means to be a Christian, but do our actions echo our words?

Do we show tolerance, kindness, compassion and forgiveness to our enemies?

As God instructed...Us to love our enemies! Please read this verse closely...

⁴³"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor^h]">[h] and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴But I tell you: Love your enemies^i]">[i] and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Amish not only forgave the man who took their children away, but they held out their hands to his family. They prayed for him...for each of them.

They put their hope, faith, trust and forgiveness firmly in Christ.

I also recall another modern day 'saint'. This man's son was murdered. How did he repay the boy who shot his son? He took him, 'the killer' into his own home and raised him like his own. ...now that, my friends is God's Grace and forgiveness!

What can we learn from these examples of forgiveness?

How many hearts can be changed ?.. Not..by hearing Christian Teachings, but by seeing Christians in action!

Let us LIVE OUR FAITH! Live it OUT LOUD.

Let us Love the un-loveable and do the un-thinkable....forgive!

¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.