I think it is absolutely reasonable to be happy with the rest of America that the leader, who caused so much pain, has been killed, but a part of me is wondering if that is the right way to respond. You see, I think it's good that "justice has been done", especially if this operation does end up helping disband the organization Bin Laden started, but as Christians we are called to love everyone and be forgiving and hope that people are able to enter Heaven and not face Hell. Here's a quote:
Christians, we never have a reason to rejoice over a soul going to Hell, no matter what they may have done to you or your country.
- Jonathan Lewis
Now I'm not saying that I take one side over the other, I'm just kind of conflicted. Clearly, Osama Bin Laden was the cause of nearly 3,000 of deaths and his existence thus far would have projected the reason for numerous additional deaths, so it's a great thing that this noxiously powerful and influential man has been killed and hopefully is preventing more deaths. And as much as we should celebrate the justice aspect, I don't want to disregard the fact that Osama Bin Laden is probably in Hell right now and that idea right now is not something I am going to be jubilant over. But I talked to my parents about this, and they kind of concluded that yes, it's sad that he has to go to Hell, but clearly that's the judgment he deserves (and so do the rest of us), but it's because he never believed or trusted in the power and love of Jesus (which is what has redeemed us). And it's unfortunate, but it's reality. But I'd also love to hear what you think about this issue, and comment below.
All in all though, Jesus calls us to love everyone. We need to be forgiving and loving towards everyone no matter who they are and how they have persecuted us. There may be people who go against our beliefs, but we should still show our love towards them. Because our love has no discrimination and no boundaries. It is a love of unconditional high regard. Since that is what Jesus showed us in the first place, unconditional love that overpowers all the hate we've ever expressed and all the sins we've ever committed. He is love.
Here's another good quote (from MLKJr):
ReplyDelete“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
So I accidentally deleted my above comment. Well, what I meant to say was that I think it's definitely true we shouldn't celebrate a fellow soul's descent into Hell. At the same time, we also need to understand the hearts of these people who are rejoicing Bin Ladin's death. Perhaps, some of them are families of the victims of 9/11, lost loved ones in a suicide bombing, or have been afflicted some other way. To be disdainful and tell them that they shouldn't be celebrating, is, well, a bit unreasonable.
ReplyDelete