The financial meltdown was the result of a subprime mortgage crisis. But what the world is reeling from today even more is a crisis of “subprime morals”.
We are too at ease with the loss of morality in our lives, our churches, our schools, our nation. God help us.
So, let me return again to the difficult more issues in this series; the first of which is: war & violence.
More on war….
I realize that the Pres just made a big speech, and a big decision: more troops to Afghanistan. I will not give my personal opinion here, except to say that I support our troops. I pray for the thousands of families who will be affected by this decision.
Now, more on war from a Christian perspective. I like what Pastor Rick Warren says, “I’m a Christian; I’m a pastor. I don’t have the option to hate anyone. I am commanded to love everyone. Jesus said love even your enemies.”
I feel the same way. Part of me wants to punish the bad guys. But God’s call is non-negotiable. I can’t argue with God, rationalizing: “But God, this person (nation, ethnic group, etc) doesn’t deserve forgiveness… doesn’t deserve to live.”
I have learned that when I decide who’s worthy of love or not, who’s worthy of forgiveness or not… who’s worthy… to live !?… then I am acting as God. (That’s just wrong of me).
So, there is a more humble way. I will pray for my “enemies”. I will wrestle with the issues within my own soul. I will dialogue and discuss rather than lash out & fight.
And let me close with one final point: These Christian practices of praying, loving, forgiving may not work on the level of global politics, or as foreign policy in a nation-state. But Jesus spoke to people. As a person, I am called to practice this Way. People – transformed, forgiven, loved people – change the world by being changed at heart first.
God have mercy on us all.