A Contrast of Gods

Over the last six days, Muslims around the world have taken to the streets, retaliating with violence and murder in response to a film that criticizes the founder of their religion.

Secular Westerners are struggling to understand what can possibly motivate human beings to respond in such a way to a film.

Whatever these recent events may say about the relationship between Muslim countries and the United States of America or United States foreign policy, they provide a vivid contrast between gods.

As I was praying before church today, I was reminded of the following verses from the Bible:

“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

I Peter 2:20-23. Jesus not only did not retaliate against those who insulted Him, He died for their sins.  (Rom. 5:6-8). Furthermore, Jesus instructed His followers not to retaliate against those who sought to harm Him  (Matt. 26:50-52) and commanded them to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Matt. 5:44.

I was proud today to be reminded from this passage of Scripture that I serve a God of love, who proved His love by His sacrifice and who in the same way calls us to respond in love to those who would persecute us.

What has happened over the last six days is a tragedy, no doubt, but it provides a grisly reminder that not all religions are the same. GS

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