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We have all been watching the news, and the war on terrorism is still going on.
Actually, it has been going on for countless thousands of years and God has been fighting that war since Satan came into being. Since Adam listened to that first lie, "you are not" (God won by the way).
The problem is on both sides here. On the Christian side as well as on the Terrorists side. How?
The real deep issue is that neither side knows who or what they are in Christ!
That's right! The reason the terrorists are doing what they do is because they have no idea who they are and that Jesus is right there with them ready to lead them to the Truth of who they already are! God has already accepted them and since we Christians are more about punishing them or trying to "save their souls", we are not focused on teaching them the truth of who and what they are! It's because we Christians don't know either!
That is ironic. We are just as lost when it comes to preaching the gospel. The Gospel means "good news", not threats of hell if we don't dunk them in the baptismal pool! Our anger and hatred (admit it, many Christians HATE them, not love them) towards these people are actually impeding our ability to reach them and bring them to the TRUTH of their SALVATION IN CHRIST! WOW! What Great News! What Gospel!
Now it is true they have to believe it in order to live it, but first WE must believe it. If we hold any doubt of who and what we are, if we are holding ourselves, our families and our churches back from that VITAL TRUTH, then we will NOT succeed in reaching these people! Nor can we succeed in reaching our families, friends and neighbors, let alone our enemies!
So lets start believing, really deep down inside, in our very psyche, our souls if you will.
YOU are the child of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and you have been accepted freely by God through Jesus Christ, and you belong to the Father! You are loved and accepted and God will NOT let you go!
That's it, PERIOD!
Now, lets love our enemies and give them this same good news! Not pray for their destruction, but their realization.
We must realize, and to realize something is to "make real of what is otherwise not real to you" (my definition). If you don't realize it (make it real deep down inside you) then you cannot really make it real to them either. Now of course, GOD is the one who makes all things real, and God will be the One who opens their minds to this reality. But God also uses YOU and ME (don't let the stones cry out) to do this.
Are you ready?
For God so loved the WORLD (thats everyone including our enemies).
Jesus said "Forgive them for they know not what they are doing" and said that while they were still beating and killing him! They didn't repent, they didn't realize it, in fact it is BECAUSE they didn't realize it that Jesus forgave them. For they do not know....or realize...what they are doing. Get it??
Do you really get it? Now live it and give it.
With blessings, and "goodwill to ALL [humanity]"
Keep on proclaiming this Good News of Who Jesus is and who humanity and creation is in Him, Brother Boyd!!! Love it!
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