Remembrance

We have just finished a week of observances in honor of those who died in the September 11th attacks.  To remember the events of that day is troubling to some.  The feelings which were evoked by the senseless destruction of innocent lives that day are renewed.  Should we remember that day?  Yes.  But how are we to act now that the day of remembrance is now past?  We should get on with our lives as children of God living in the United States of America.  What does that mean?

First, we recognize the uncertainty of life.  I am sure that none of the people who died that day expected to depart this world on that particular day. That day began not very differently from most other workdays.  They got up, got ready, and went to the job.  But something else to remember about that day, others were dying also, but not from terrorist attacks. People died from the effects of aging, from accidents, cancer, heart attack, etc. Odds are that no one reading this article will die from terrorism, but we all have an appointment with death, Hebrews 9:27.  We have no guarantee of tomorrow.

So, secondly, we need to appreciate each day as a gift from our God in heaven to be used in His service for His glory and honor.  He wants us to look for opportunities to use our talents in our day-to-day lives. Paul put it this way, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).  Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as our selves.  In answer to the question “Who is my neighbor” Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan.  The parable teaches we should help those who we can regardless of ethnic background.

We can, thirdly, help people see that religion is not the source of evil.  At least Christianity is not the source, it is rather the solution.  Jesus sent the disciples out to conquer the world, not through the use of military power, or intimidation, but through love. In the early church we learn of the breaking down of barriers between people.  First between Jews and Samaritans in Acts 8 and between Jews and Gentiles in Acts 10.  Paul wrote the Ephesians that Jesus broke “down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14).  The marching orders for the Lord’s army are “go ye therefore and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).

And lastly, we remember we are at war.  I am not referring to the war on terrorism. I am referring to the war Paul wrote about in Ephesians 6:10ff.  This war is not fought with conventional military power for supremacy over some physical territory.  This war is for the hearts and minds of people; it is fought for the souls of men and women using the sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

—Denny