As we mourned the anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, America was violently attacked again.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." -Matthew 5:9
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." -Matthew 5:43-45
Both times Jesus says we will be called "sons of God" or "sons of your Father in heaven" if we pursue peace, or if we love and pray for those who persecute us.
Even now, Christian leaders and Christian politicians are expressing their, "outrage" and "anger" and promising that they will respond swiftly and will seek justice.
Just like in 2001. Just like we responded to the attack on our soil 11 years ago.
Instead of responding like we did in 2001, can we respond differently this time?
Can we obey Jesus and love our enemies?
What would happen if we broke the cycle of attack, retaliate, attack, and retaliate? What if, by offering our enemies our forgiveness, our grace, our love... and our prayers... we could break the strength of the ideology that drives our enemies to violence?
What if... we put away our anger and instead clothed ourselves in Christ?
What if... we loved our enemies?
What would happen to our world?
What if... al Queda surrendered their lives to Jesus?
What if?
