A Christ-like response

Last updated on: November 15, 2015 at 10:34 am by Jim Meisner Jr.

A Christ-like response 2015-11-15T10:34:30-05:00 Jim Meisner Jr.

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

There is evil in the world.
There are daily reminders.

Before the wounded in Paris were all transported to hospitals, good, thoughtful Christians had questions of faith.
For example:

“The more news that comes out about the attacks in Paris, the more anger and despair I’m feeling. I know I need to be praying right now, but honestly some of that anger is blame directed straight at God. I know free will exists, but at the same time I’m angry that He did not stop this horror from taking place. I don’t know how to pray through something like this. How do I pray to God when I’m so angry at Him?”

My response?

“Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”

And this:

Someone asked how we pray for people who are so difficult to pray for – namely the perpetrators of the Nov. 13 attacks.

We pray to change ourselves.
By praying for others, we humanize them in a way they often refuse to humanize their victims.
We pray for those who do evil, to help stop us from responding with evil.
The response to death can not be more death.
The response to violence is not more violence.
The response to loss can’t be to take from others.
The response to anger isn’t anger.
Evil in the world is evil of the world.
Evil is not of God.
What happened in Paris — just like what happened on 9/11, just like what happens in markets when a car bomb explodes, or a suicide bomber murders indiscriminately — is not of God.
Responding to evil with death, violence, or anger isn’t of God. These are responses of the world. And worldly, violent responses simply lead to more violent responses.
Responding to evil with evil is evil.
A presidential candidate who claims to seek guidance in prayer and in scripture believes the answer to violence is increased bombing and less concern for civilian casualties, in short, responding to random killing with more random killing.
A Christian leader claims to love God and Jesus while demanding that others be attacked simply because of their faith.
Scripture says “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
But we can surrender to darkness. We can leave the light and love of God, and move into the shadows, where evil lurks.
We can respond to the world in a worldly way, or in a Godly way. It’s a simple choice. A simple choice that often must be made many times a day. A simple choice that is made difficult when the streets run with blood.
But more blood isn’t the answer.
“What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another…” – Robert Kennedy, April 4, 1968
In the words of Francis of Assisi:

“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

The Christ-like response to murder, death, and violence is the loving, peaceful, and nonviolent example of Christ.
Anything less is evil.

Paris terrorism attack

Robert Kennedy

Ted Cruz

Previous Post

November 14, 2015

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

Next Post

November 15, 2015 Let God connect with your spirit

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Celtic spirituality Christmas Civil Rights culture Easter Faith images in the news Prayer Quote Scripture Uncategorized vocational ministry Writing

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Golgotha" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

City of Blood Holy Mountain Hill of Sacrifice Place of the Skull