It is one of the primary issues of the hour. And the impact and
effects of terrorism are reaching to nearly every part of the globe today.
It is a term familiar to most all of us, but exactly how is it officially defined and can it really be stopped?
The simple definition in the Merriam Webster is as follows: "The
unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public
as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion." The United States
Department of Defense defines terrorism as "The calculated use of unlawful
violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce
or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are
generally political, religious, or ideological."
Of course the idea of terrorizing is not limited to the
large scale kinds of things we are witnessing today. This activity
can occur in the home, the back yard, the school yard and on the job. But presently we
are dealing world-wide primarily with the likes of ISIS and others like them. And the source, as we all
know, is, for the most part, a form of radical Islam that has reared its evil
head yet once again in human history.
The word “terrorism” comes from the French Revolution. The
so-called “Reign of Terror” was once used as an instrument of state policy. But the
history of terrorism in general is as old
as man’s willingness to use threats and violence to pressure others and bend their will or behavior.
But, today, because international
terrorism has grown so fierce, sophisticated and pervasive, it has the entire
globe on edge and trying to somehow solve the rising menace. It allows small groups,
or even an individual, to exert an influence disproportionate to their size.
And groups are hard to even find because they do not exist in any one place, at
one time or under one government.
Recently, I did a quick search online that revealed hundreds of articles
on how to defeat global terrorism. The ideas covered the entire spectrum. But there was but one idea that stuck out as
unique. The title read as follows: "The only way to defeat terrorism is the
cross". Amazing!
I could hardly believe that someone actually wrote that. I can
only assume that, because terrorism is at its root sin, the author
believed best way to cure it is to deal directly with sin. It is quite something indeed in today's climate to
suggest that what Jesus Christ did on the cross is sufficient to deal with this
brutal ideology and practice. And just why would anyone offer such a cure? It is
because those who accept Christ are not only forgiven of sin, but, the Bible says, they receive
a new heart and can be released from sin's power. They become an all new creation according to according
to 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is a ministry of God's Holy Spirit and is known in theological terms as "regeneration".
Political and military solutions are interesting, difficult, costly and just
semi-effective at best. But to eradicate terrorism the real way requires that man's inner
hatred be replaced by God’s supernatural love and a respect for life - all life. That may sound oversimplified, but it is the truth!
Also, for those today who live in fear of some form of terror attack befalling them, there is a far greater danger according
to God’s word. The Apostle Paul wrote these chilling words in 2 Corinthians
5:10-11: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each
one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done,
whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men.’" In Matthew 10:28, Jesus Christ shared what life's main concern or terror truly is. "And do not fear those who
kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to
destroy both soul and body in hell." And Hebrews 10:31 adds, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Facing God someday without Christ as Savior
is, and should be, the most terrifying and fearful thing anyone can possibly imagine. Actually, it is down right unimaginable!
Terrorism is very complicated in some ways and very simple in
others. For those who are the aggressors and perpetrators, and for all of their victims,
the solution is the exactly the same – the cross of Jesus Christ! The power and impact of salvation in
Christ can defeat the mentality that fuels this wretched scourge while spiritually
preparing any caught in its cruel path to face it. Those in Christ have the peace and
security that they are justified with God and therefore able to confidently face Him even
in a moments notice. Again, both doing terrorism and dealing with terrorism find their ultimate solution in Christ!
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My
righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
Bill Breckenridge
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