Dateline: October 30, 2018

The world is witnessing the aftermath of the slaughter of 11 Jews in a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania synagogue as they celebrated the Lord’s Sabbath. Since the time of those senseless killings we have seen an outpouring of sympathy and concern for all those involved. We have witnessed large numbers of Jews and Gentiles meeting to pray, observe moments of silence, etc. Flags have been lowered to half mast, church, civic and political leaders have called for the unification of people in a spirit of inclusion, etc. A spokesperson proclaimed the general theme for all of the heartfelt outpouring of concern. She said that those who mourn, along with the rest of intelligent mankind, must feel and express love toward those who hate us because “Love conquers evil.”

NO IT DOES NOT. In this life love does not conquer evil. Jesus commanded that we love our enemies. Loving them does not change their attitude toward us. They do not respond in kind. Jesus never said that they would. In fact, He said the opposite. As numerous Scriptures proclaim, loving our enemies often increases their hatred toward those who love them. Jesus said that this rule even applies within families. In fact, He warned that the members of one’s own household would be one’s main enemy (Mat. 10:36). We are told to pray for and express love toward the Muslim terrorists. This is not only good, it is Biblical. But religious man must not lose his grasp of reality and fall for the notion that loving the murderers will change them in any positive way. In fact, it makes those who love easier targets.

In the recent past we have witnessed via television men being led to their deaths while whispering the name of Jesus. Some were beheaded in various ways. Others were drowned in metal cages. These poor souls went to their deaths praying for their enemies. In spite of this outpouring of love toward them, the terrorists continue to kill every loving, praying church person they possibly can.

Well-meaning people will continue hold prayer vigils and sing-ins where they will speak and sing about living those who hate us. Doing so, they insist, will insure that “… this will never happen again.” However, THIS KIND OF CARNAGE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, AD INFINITUM. Evil will continue to overcome love for a Biblically explained reason that will become evident as we delve into God’s Word. Those who believe that their love will change the hearts of their enemies are missing the point entirely because they know very little about the Word of God and do not believe most of what little they know. This in spite of their having been schooled in the Bible for years. The problem is that their schooling, like that in public education, has been “watered down” to the point that it is functionally useless. Like those who have rewritten history for our children to learn and believe, church leaders have rewritten God’s Word in order to make it more user-friendly by telling people “Bible truths” that feed their egos and scratch their itching ears. Satan’s watering down of God’s Words in order to deceive Adam and Eve readily comes to mind.

Concerning the subject under consideration, the Lord does have much to say relative to protection of His people. In fact, HE PROMISES TO PROTECT THEM FROM THEIR ENEMIES. But as we see time and again as heads are cut off, bombs explode, etc., He is failing to do so. People who wear crosses and attend church three times each week are often the victims of terrorism. Why does the Lord not protect them as He promised? The following postings will reveal the Scriptural reasons for His failure to fulfill His promises for those who call upon His name. L.J.