16/9/01 A Response to the tragic events in America of Tuesday, 11th September...

How are we, as Christians to respond to the evil events that resulted in the loss of the lives of thousands of people in America last Tuesday ? There are a number of points I would like to make. Some more obvious than others and some more easy to apply than others.

Murder is wrong.

It is God's job to give/take life Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Against God's revealed will in the commandments: Exodus 20 : 13 "You shall not murder.

Therefore, we must wholeheartedly condemn the evil acts of last Tuesday.

How else are we to respond ?

We are to help those who are affected

Romans 12: 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. We had the opportunity to do this last Friday in private and by coming to church. The Book of Condolence which I will be sending to the American Embassy tomorrow is open in church today for those who want to contribute to it. We should also continue to pray for the bereaved, the injured, and all the other people that will be affected in the United States and around the world. Of course, this includes many people from our own country.

We need to remember that revenge is wrong.

Joshua has just read Jesus' words from Luke 6:27-33. (27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' do that. )

Jesus calls for his followers to have a completely different attitude to life. We are not to imitate the world, where people only love those who show love to them. No, we are to imitate our Saviour who loved his enemies, even as they crucified him. This is not an easy or a popular option.

Last Sunday 9th, before the tragic day in America, we looked at Romans 12 in our 10.45 a.m. sermon. This continues the teaching of Jesus about loving our enemies.

Romans 12 : 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Will anything be changed by an ever increasing circle of violence ? Will this enable people to 'live in peace with everyone', verse 18 ?

A carefully thought out approach is needed. I was impressed by the words of Paddy Ashdown on Thursday evenings 'Question Time' who has had experience of terrorism as a soldier and as a politician. He said that you can never win against terrorists, but that Tuesday's tragedy should spur governments to seek a world wide 'Geneva' type convention. This could encourage every country to take a stand against terrorism so that it would be an offence for a country to harbour terrorists, and that country would be punished.

In Romans 12 it also says that it is God's job to punish.

19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

We saw last week that there are different ways in which God can punish an evildoer. Whatever happens on this earth we can be sure that God will judge everyone ( Hebrews 9:27 ). No one will be able to escape his justice and this wil be fair and just, the wicked will not go unpunished.

We saw last week that it is the governments job to punish wrongdoers.

Romans 13: 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

However, this does not give a government the right to condemn someone without adequate proof, or to take measures that will pose a risk to innocent people. I am very concerned about some of the 'Rambo like' rhetoric that has come from the United States this week in response to this evil act.

Some people will want to blame God for what has happened. But He created a perfect world, but man has spoiled it by sinning, going against his perfect will for us. That is why there is murder, violence, hatred, greed, jealousy, and so on. Everyone sins, Romans 3:23.

Some will ask "Where is God in all the grief, death, pain and suffering ?" In Jesus God has shared in suffering when he was on he cross. Jesus endured betrayal, ridicule, rejection, injustice, hatred, pain, physical death and spiritual death. Through that spiritual death he has undone the effects of sin that enslaves us and separate us from God. He has paid the price so that we are free from sin and can face death with a certain hope and not fear. He is now seated at God's right hand and can sympathise with those who are now suffering.

These tragic events are a reminder of our frailty/mortality. We could die at anytime. Think of the thousands of people going about their normal, day to day business last Tuesday. Few, if any could have been prepared for their lives to end. In Luke 12:13 Jesus told the parable of a man who was not expecting to die. He trusted in his abundant crop and looked forward to a comfortable life, yet died before he could enjoy it. This is a reminder that the material things that surround us cannot benefit us in eternity. We are to build up treasures in heaven.

Another factor that we need to bear in mind is that for many people this tragedy will unearth emotions related to their own bereavement(s). I believe this was one of the ingredients of the national outpouring of grief following the death of Lady Diana.

We live in a world where people are so busy they often fail to talk about and consider what is really important. Whilst we would never have wanted this to happen, it may give us the opportunity to talk of deeper issues and to focus on spiritual rather than material.

We must remember that we have a resurrection faith. This is why we meet on a Sunday. This gives us a living, certain hope. Evil has been overcome by good, and we are called to overcome evil with good ( Romans 12:21 ).

Let us pray that those affected by this tragedy will know the comfort and hope of the living Lord Jesus in their pain. Let us pray for a right and measured response from the United States government. Let us pray that people will be delivered from a fear of living what they know as a 'normal' life. But we must also pray that everyone will be ready to face God with Jesus in their heart and at their side.