How do you love Osama bin Laden?

[ZoneChaos]

As Christians we are told to Love our enemies.

Forgiveness of what has transpired is paramount.

Continue to pray fro Osama, that God both brings him to justice, and changes his heart.

[sear]

Deleted for violation of Forum policy.

ZC

[AngelAmidala]

That is a good question and point for us to really think about.

I know that it's not as extreme, but I often thought about forgiving those we believe are truly evil (or bad) when I used to skim by some of the daytime talkshows like Sally Jesse. They'd often have family members of a person who was killed by a drunk driver, and the question posed to the family is, "Can you forgive them?" meaning the one who killed their family member. And most times the answer was "No, they killed my son/daughter, there is no forgiveness for them..." stuff like that. But prior to saying that the family would go on about how the person was now in heaven, wasn't in pain....

It often confused me...people on TV saying they were Christians, only they were picking and choosing what parts of Jesus' teachings they wanted to believe.

I find it hard to have happy feelings towards him...but I do pray that either he finds God, or God's justice finds him.

[LouisBooth]

we do it knowing that in God's eyes we look much the same way...

[Schrack]

"As Christians we are told to Love our enemies."

This is true, but let us put things into context. Jesus was speaking not in regard to how a country as a whole ought to respond to being attacked by terrorists, he is speaking in regard as to how his individual disciples were to react when persecuted by others for their Christian faith. What happened in New York was not in essence an attack on Christianity; it was an attack upon a nation, and in that regard it must be dealt with on a governmental level. He is an enemy to the United States of America and not the Christian church, although we can say that the Muslim religion in Afghanistan is hostile to Christianity there.

"Forgiveness of what has transpired is paramount."

Sometimes I feel Christians can be a bit naive when they say things like we should forgive people like bin Laden for what he did. Not that I'm trying to pick on you or what you are saying, because I understand there is a place for compassion toward sinners. But understand that in this case it is not ours to forgive but God's, that is, if this man Osama truly repents for his sin. For his sin is that of murder, something of which neither you nor I have the power to forgive. Even Stephen, when being stoned by the Jews, did not take forgiveness upon himself but rather cried out to God to forgive them. Let us do the same.

"Continue to pray for Osama, that God both brings him to justice, and changes his heart."

Actually, we should pray that he converts first and perhaps, if God wills, providentally avoid justice for his acts (like Saul of Tarsus) and become a great preacher for Christ. But if he chooses to remain on the path of unrighteousness, then we may rightly concur with Paul and say let him suffer "indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish" that is appointed for "every soul that doeth evil." (Rom. 2:8-9)

SchracktheBaptist

[PrincessTracy]

I have to agree with Schrack on most of his points.

(btw, is that nick from Shaderack? sp? lol just wondering) :lol:

I think person to person we should pray for not only him but all muslims. Their koran tells them to kill all the "infidels" which basically means anyone that is not a muslim. I do pray that they will find the truth. But as pointed out this attack was nation to nation and more as a political situation than a religious one. I've been praying that our leaders would seek God's will in the actions of our nation just as David and many other Godly kings prayed before going into battle. The bible says there will not be total peace until He returns. So the whole "flower power" idea of world peace is in vain because of the sin that is in the world that reeks havoc everywhere it can. Also because of the enemy of the soul that roams around like a lion wanting to devour and destroy.

As such, we as a nation have to defend our boarders as any nation has too. It's also important to remember that the bible tells of all the great nations of the world falling. Look at the Roman empire or even more recent the USSR. If we don't stand up to this enemy we will be getting attacked from all sides.

So I guess getting back to the point I think we can love our enemies by praying that they find the truth while at the same time as a nation defending ourselves.

In Christ Love,
Tracy

[Schrack]

Princess,

Nope. My handle didn't come from Shadrach. Actually, I made up the name one day when I was prompted for a name by one of those futuristic computer games. I've kept it ever since. On the internet some will call me Schrack, SchracktheBaptist, or abbreviate it to "StB," and some just plain call me "Baptist." Use whichever you like.

[hoopler]

Hafta say it's been hard working this one thru.
pple know my dad was in the south tower and didn't make it.
I live in Coventry UK. In the War Coventry was next to London in the destruction it got from the nazi's. It was blitzed twice.
The day after the attacks I went to the old cathedral that was bombed in the war. There's a prayer up on the wall called the littanny of reconciliation. It hit me then that the first thing I needed to do was pray for and forgive the guys responsible for this.
I took a youth meeting the other week and started talking about Mary Magdaline. How Jesus turned the tables and said that the acusers were just as guilty. All have sinned type thing.
That applies even in a situation like this. That's when we put our faith where our mouth is. Walk the talk type stuff. Outrageous Grace

[Josephus]

I pray the Lord guide you through it, and help you with it and become stronger because of what He is doing in you.

Forgiveness is a tough issue for many to work through, but with God, we know that He is always bigger than any "tough" we face.

:)

[DrFate]

How to love OSB? How not to Hate OSB?

OSB may be an instrument of G-d. The goal may be to call people to repentence, a call for people to turn to G-d instead of Mammon.

[airren1]

That is a good question and point for us to really think about.

I know that it's not as extreme, but I often thought about forgiving those we believe are truly evil (or bad) when I used to skim by some of the daytime talkshows like Sally Jesse. They'd often have family members of a person who was killed by a drunk driver, and the question posed to the family is, "Can you forgive them?" meaning the one who killed their family member. And most times the answer was "No, they killed my son/daughter, there is no forgiveness for them..." stuff like that. But prior to saying that the family would go on about how the person was now in heaven, wasn't in pain....

It often confused me...people on TV saying they were Christians, only they were picking and choosing what parts of Jesus' teachings they wanted to believe.

I find it hard to have happy feelings towards him...but I do pray that either he finds God, or God's justice finds him.
I also pray that Yhwh finds Bush, or Bush finds Yhwh. What Bib Laden did is a horrible transgression, but what Bush did is no better.