How a Christian must respond to hatred and terrorism
Here are four biblical answers to the terrorism or athate which make the Christian different from others.
Pray for your enemies
Christianity is the only religion that prays for its emics. Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing”(Luke 23:34) just as they were crucifying and killing him. It's a great way to respond to hatred or terrorism. "Pray for them, for if they do not repent, they will perish" (Luke 13: 3; Rev 20: 12-15).
Bless those who curse you
We love to ask for God's blessing on people, especially in our greetings and that's a good thing. But did you know that it is biblical to ask for God's blessing on those who curse you? Jesus tells us to "bless those who curse you, pray for those who insult you"(Luke 6:28). It seems very difficult to do, but it is a biblical response to hatred and terrorism. I was told by an angry atheist: "I hate you" and I replied, "Friend, God bless you richly." He didn't know what to say next. Did I want to ask God to bless him? No, but it was a biblical way of answering. Did Jesus want to go to the cross? No, Jesus prayed twice for the bitter cup to be removed (Luke 22:42 but he knew the biblical answer was to go to Calvary because Jesus knew it was the Father's will. This is the Father's will for us too.
Do good to those who hate you
Once again, Jesus sets the bar very high, saying: “But I say to you who listen: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you"(Luke 6:27). How hard it is! Imagine someone doing something bad to you or something you own; then in turn respond by doing them something good. But this is exactly what Jesus asks us to do. “When he was outraged, he did not return outrage; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued to entrust himself to him who judges with justice "(1 Pt 2,23:100). We should also rely on God because it will be XNUMX% right.
Love your enemies
Returning to Luke 6:27, Jesus says: "Love your enemies“, Which will confuse those who hate you and those who carry out terrorist attacks. When the terrorists see Christians respond with love and prayer, they cannot understand it, but Jesus says: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5,44:XNUMX). Therefore, we should love our enemies and pray for those who are our persecutors. Can you think of a better way to respond to terrorism and those who hate us?