We have watched with anger and horror the events throughout the Muslim world this past week – riots and terrorist attacks on September 11. Americans have been targeted, attacked and killed. I am deeply concerned about the radicalization of Islam throughout the world. I fear that we will face this conflict for decades to come.
I believe in the Bill of Rights, specifically the right to free speech and free exercise of religion. Our Founding Fathers sought to prohibit the state’s power to limit political and religious speech, and deny the state any role in the free exercise of religion. If we compromise these founding principles, then we deny some of the basic freedoms that have defined our democracy. I believe that the freedoms of speech and religion should be common to all nations of the world and that the United States of America has an obligation to promote and protect the basic political and religious rights of all nations.
But I am reminded that my primary citizenship is the Kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, there are some principles that are far more important than the Bill of Rights. There is nothing more significant to Christian witness and mission than Jesus’ commands to love and pray for our enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).
When Jesus was arrested in the Garden, one of the disciples sought to defend his Lord with the sword. Jesus rebuked him: “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword“ (Matthew 26:52). Then Jesus healed the attacked soldier’s wounded ear (Luke 22:51). The raging temptation is to persuade with the sword. But the mission of Christ is to heal the wounds of humanity. This is the perfection of love.
At the crucifixion of Jesus there were a handful of disciples; some Jewish leaders who persecuted Jesus; and Romans who were responsible for his execution. Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing!” (Luke 23:34). As Stephen was being stoned by the religious zealots of his day, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60). This is the perfection of love.
As Americans who believe in free speech and free exercise of religion, we must be willing to defend those rights for persons of every religious faith. As Christians, in protecting the rights of others we are demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. There is a long violent history of conflict and confrontation between Christians and Muslims. There have been atrocities committed on both sides. As Christians we must lead in love. We must put aside our anger towards those who seek us harm, and find a way to express the love of Christ. That means that we must discover a way to love and respect Muslims, their culture, and their religious faith, even as we seek to share our faith with them. This is the perfection of love.
Read “God’s Blessings for Ishmael.”
