Remember and Forgive

Nineteen years ago the world was in shock. Some rejoiced and celebrated as many civil servants, family members, friends, and heroes' lives were lost due to terrorists who wished to see our way of life destroyed. It was a day that brought many people together from all walks of life. There was a sense of patriotism. All was well for a little while then there was spite, hatred, a desire for vengeance against those who were associated by religion or ethnicity to the men who decided to do the evil that was done. Why do we blame the innocent for the bad choices of a few? 
Martyrs For Beliefs 
Many people die for their convictions and beliefs. This is nothing new and has happened since the beginning of recorded time. It is in our nature to have the willingness to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others but it is also our nature to be the ones who are willing to kill for ours or their beliefs. These choices we make both help and destroy lives at the same time. The ramifications that follow are usually the cause for revenge. But God says that vengeance is His and retribution does not come from us but Him alone. Why do we desire death when we also fear it? 
Jesus was both willing and unwilling to die but He knew it was the right thing to do. The Spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. He took every ounce of punishment that man gave for our sake because that was what the Father willed. We are to be willing sacrifices for those we love and follow John 15:13, Greater Love hath no man than he who gives his life for his friends. Making the ultimate sacrifice is what we do as caretakers of this world. Some through service in the military, some as civil servants, some as health professionals, some as parents and even children. These are the ones who truly understand that our life here has a purpose and will do anything for anyone no matter friend or foe. 
The Martyrs of early Christendom gave their lives due to hatred and misunderstandings of their beliefs. Some who are considered martyrs today should be deemed suicidal and murderers  because they kill themselves while taking others who have a differing worldview with them. Going into battle with the intent to die is not martyrdom it is murder with an immediate death sentence.
Death for a Cause
Many lives in the current situation we have in the world are taken out of pure hatred due to a moral, ethnic, or political idealism. This is not what God has planned but what the devil is doing in an effort to destroy God’s plan. There is so much hatred for people due to the greed and jealousy of a few who spread fear through lies and false propaganda to fuel the destruction of our way of life. The blame always falls on the scapegoat who is actually trying to make things right. It is not really our cause but the devil’s desire and we are just pawns.
The problem of temptation and sin that has plagued us this past century and a few extra years has caused war, man made famine, civil unrest, immoral behaviors becoming acceptable social norms and the destruction of the family itself. We were told this would happen all the back in the times when the prophets and sages of old were given visions of the future and the end times. We are suffering and dying because of man giving himself over to the Adversary and being blinded by promises of physical wealth and immortal health. That is not what God wants.
God’s Love Leads to Forgiveness
To solve these issues today we must maintain our love for God as He loves us. One of the hardest things to do is find the joy in the persecution and suffering that we are dealing with today but His Love is what will take us through this. God did not save us through the sacrifice of His Son for nothing. We should hold on to the trust we have in He who gave us life and the Love He pours in our souls so that we can let it pour out and branch to others. We can overcome this current evil but it takes all of us not just a few. 
Because He is willing to forgive us we must forgive others. Forgiveness is very hard for some who tend to hold grudges and are bitter. Those things lead down dark paths that only harden the heart and make matters worse. If we truly trust God and Repent without backsliding, we can be on the road to have true forgiveness. Putting our old selves away and burning the box we can learn to forgive and let God’s Love overflow from our hearts. Remember, sometimes God’s Love is actually tough love and so should ours. It is difficult but possible. How you choose to use it is up to you, just remember who you must answer to. 
Brothers and Sisters, show mercy when dealing with others so that God’s grace will shine through. Be the man or woman God designed you to be and let your spirit flow. Love one another with God’s Love not the human definition. And give of yourself.
In God’s Grace and Mercy,
Rob, Servant of God