Like millions around the world, I watched my television with horror as the images of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon were played and replayed on the television newscasts. I did not react with an article for the website because, quite frankly, so many voices were speaking out on the moral, religious, ethical and practical implications of this disaster that I was busily trying to digest all of these "learned," opinions. However, I feel that it is now time for me to make some observations about this attack on American sovereignty and upon the aftermath of this horrendous abomination that has been perpetrated by weak-minded, sick and demented psychopaths trying to ease their enormous guilt by blaming their evil actions on their understanding of God.
First and foremost, I condemn the comments made by Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell about these events being a sign of God taking His hand of protection off of our "sinful nation." To blame God for the evil actions of these people and elevate these sick and warped people to the status of tools in the hands of the Almighty, is to accord to them the exact status they were seeking for themselves in the first place. They were in no way being used of God on the morning of September 11, 2001. They were simply engaging their sinful nature and being used as pawns in the hands of the Enemy of Our Soul. They rained down fire and pain upon innocent civilians in a sneak attack of epic proportions. Without warning or declaration they ruthlessly murdered thousands of people. These are not the actions of the godly nor of those that God would be using for His purposes. While it is true that God will take even this situation and use it for the furtherance of His kingdom, we must never fall into the trap of accusing God of creating every catastrophe and disaster. The sinful nature of humanity, chosen by our forbearers in the Garden of Eden, has cursed us to living with pestilence, disaster, pain and death.
Secondly, I just finished reading the hijackers' "letter of encouragement," as published on the Los Angeles Times' website. The letter demarcated, for me at least, one of the great truths that separates Christianity from all other world religions. No actions or work that we sinful humans can accomplish will ever win approval from God. It would be laughable, if it wasn't so sad, to imagine that these hijackers really believed that God was going to give them strength in this battle and that God would be pleased with their results. It is incredible to imagine these mass murderers of the innocent and defenseless praying, "There is no god but god and Muhammad is his messenger," as they aimed planes filled with civilians at towers filled with unsuspecting workers.
However, it is equally laughable and sad to imagine millions of people that think that they can win approval from God by human works. Anyone who has been human for any length of time is aware that every work that we do is tainted by the sinful. If we feed someone who is hungry, the sin of pride for our generosity rears it's ugly head, negating our actions. If we pray for an hour, we feel that God owes us something because of our faithfulness. If we help a person in need, we do it out of a sense of obligation or imagining that they will help us sometime down the line. I believe that this is why the Bible says that our righteous works are as filthy rags in God's eyes. Of course they are! Imagine the Creator of the Universe, Source of All Goodness and Righteousness examining our feeble attempts at being "good." It must be similar to the attitude Michael Jordan would have in playing a pick-up game of basketball against my seven year old son. My son has honed his skills to their absolute best. He has stretched the physical limitations of his 52 inch tall body to their apex. However, in a game against a 6' 5 in. tall professional basketball player, his skills would look meager and pathetic. How much more would human attempts at righteousness look feeble when examined by God!
Thankfully, God doesn't want us to impress Him with our works, rather He strives to impress upon us His character and righteousness. We don't work for God, He works in us to accomplish His good purposes. We don't become, "good enough," to earn a trip to Heaven, but God gives the gift of eternal life to those who don't have one single reason to merit such a gift. Hallelujah!! Faith in Christ offers hope and life to the lost, down-trodden and abused! Jesus sets us free and His righteousness fills us.
Finally, I pondered the future of our nation. Where do we go from here? The initial weeks after these atrocities have been filled with encouraging images of selfless acts of love and community. From the rescue workers digging through the rubble to the legislators standing with firm resolve, the people of our nation have begun to resemble the lofty ideals that the Founding Fathers envisioned when they initially fought to establish the United States of America. The President decreed a National Day of Prayer and not a single person from the ACLU, or similar institution, tried to challenge the Constitutionality of his declaration. Members of both Houses of Congress stood on the steps of the Capitol and sang, "God Bless America," and a unified nation stood with them in supplication to the Creator of the Universe. Great good will grow from the tears that have been shed in our nation for the innocent victims of senseless violence. We will emerge a stronger and more focused nation.
I pray this message finds you healthy and serving the Lord with Gladness!
Grace & Peace--
Shawn
Posted Sept. 29, 2001
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