(Below is an excerpt from Pastor’s book, “How To Triumph in Troubled Times”)
It is unimaginable that a group of people could have a hatred that runs so deep that everyone outside their group is considered infidels and should be destroyed. They justify it all in the name of religion. If there has ever been a time that I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is now. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a religion of hate (I do not like to call it a religion, but you understand what I am saying). It is a Gospel of Love! If anyone ever walked the love walk and lived the example of the love of God, it was Jesus.
A pastor has a fix-it heart. We want to fix things. We want to help people. I do not like to see people hurting. I do not like to see people in difficult times. I do not like to see people that are up against impossible situations. I am always thinking, “How could we pray about that? How could we make a difference?” Of course, you cannot help in every situation, but that is just a pastor’s heart.
When 9/11 happened I asked myself, “The way things have escalated, what can we do? How can we change our world?” I will be honest with you, even though I know the power of the Gospel of Christ, there was almost a feeling of helplessness that came over me.
When I asked God, “What can we do?” He responded, “I will tell you what you can do that can effect change in your world. You can walk in love in a world of hate.” That does not mean that you do not defend yourself, or that a nation does not protect its citizens. You and I may not single-handedly be able to turn the world around, however we can walk in love in a world of hate. That is exactly what Jesus did. He cast out devils because He loved people. They even said He cast out devils by the power of the devil. He healed the sick and they attributed that to the devil and ultimately put Jesus on a cross. But even on that cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus came to show His love to the world. God so loved the world that He sent Jesus. Look at what a world changing effect His love made!