After a violent terrorist attack like the attack that took place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday March 15th, 2019, I usually become ensnared in the profound battle that takes place between the spirit and the flesh.
“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:21-23).
The terrorist perpetrator(s) of the attack proclaimed well-known opinions on the growing concerns resulting from rapidly increasing immigration into countries around the world. They railed against Muslim immigration into traditionally non-Muslim nations.
In the coming days, the mainstream media at large will very likely do all they can to put traditional American Christians on trial for the evil crime committed in New Zealand. They will continue—as they have been for years—to lump all traditional American Christians into one category: dangerous hateful bigots all.
What my flesh wants to say to anyone who will listen:
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right.
This is wrong, but you rarely condemn this.
That is wrong, but you always condemn that.
That doesn’t make this right.
This = Violent Islamic Extremism
That = Violent Far-Right Extremism
In other words, condemning violent far-right extremism doesn’t make violent Islamic extremism less wrong.
What my spirit wants to say to anyone who will listen:
Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, most people will fall into any number of the worldly hate categories:
“I hate fascists.”
“I hate racists.”
“I hate Muslims.”
“I hate Christians.”
“I hate Hindus.”
“I hate brown people.”
“I hate black people.”
“I hate white people.”
“I hate stupid people.”
“I hate scientists.”
Etc.
Only the Bible says:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-19, 21).
Those who judge within the flesh run the danger of falling into a hateful category. Those who judge according to the Spirit will follow the Word of God.
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).