Because of Who Their God is . . .

This is the solemn anniversary of one of our great national tragedies.  It has come to be represented with three numerals – 9-1-1.  It is hard to believe it has been 13 years since that terrible September morning.  Yet here in 2014, we continue to see more terroristic threats.  Recently we have all been appalled at the beheading of two journalists by ISIS.  This radical group certainly presents a real and present danger to Americans now and into the future.

As much as the media and political figures try to deflect the religious undertones and roots of the problem, it is obviously there for anyone with open eyes.  The Biblical worldview sees this as a part of the conflict raging between good and evil, darkness and light.  It is satan at work with all of his might.

The truth so often neglected in all of the rhetoric about terrorist, Islam, and America is that people are shaped by who their God is!

[important]You become like the God you worship. [/important]

Your beliefs about God, who He is and what He stands for, shapes and directs how you act.

The Bible says in regard to unfaithful Israel, “They rejected His statutes and His covenant He had made with their ancestors and the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, following the surrounding nations the Lord had commanded them not to imitate” (2 Kings 17:15).

The reason those men flew those airplanes into buildings, and had such a hatred for America, had a direct correlation to who their god was!  The reason these men are cutting off innocent heads to make a political point is because of who their God is.  The reason Christians must not fight a religious war in the name of Christ is because of who our God is!

This is a primary message of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-8).  Jesus is calling his followers to a higher level of discipleship because of who their God is (Mat. 5:48 – be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect).  The reason Christians do not revile when reviled, endure suffering, and love their enemies is because of who our God is.

Sadly, it seems people want to push this simple explanation of the atrocities and terroristic acts done on 911 and today out of the way because it is not politically correct and is a religious argument.  Yet, it seems to me that our nation will not be able to fully understand these threats and deal with these threats until we face this reality — they are the way they are because of who their god is.  Most in America are the way they are because of who their god is too–be it pleasure, fortune, or fame.  But Christians are to be the way we are because of who our God is!

So . . . who is your god or God?  Come to know the true and living God abounding in mercy and lovingkindness through the pages of Scripture.  When you know Him, it will change everything about you!  You will be different too, because of who your God is!