The Right Response To The Paris Terror Attacks
This is a guest post by my beloved husband, Zohar.
Recently yet another dark moment hit humanity. Terror once again struck our unsuspecting hearts unexpectedly, causing us to cringe in the face of yet another sudden slaughter of human lives. This time the heartless terrorists chose Paris, the City of Lights.
Are we surprised that mass murderers are again acting on their ideology of Muslim Jihad? Probably not. But whether it is the 9/11 terror attacks, explosion of buses and restaurants in Israel, or the blood bath in Paris, each time we are left shocked, confused, angry, and despairingly helpless.
As we slowly begin to get over the initial shock, our mind is desperate to find a solution, even a temporary one.
“What can be done? Is there anything I can do as an individual?”
Each commentator in the media knowingly thinks he has the solution for terrorism. But do they really? The governments plan their retaliation against terror, but sadly, it’s a losing battle.
What about you and me? What would the right response to the Paris terror attacks and other horrific events like it be?
It may surprise you that we do have a mandate in the Bible to be active. I’m not talking about protesting, boycotting Hallal products, emailing our government officials, and such.
I’m talking about being a light in the midst of the darkness.
You see, dear friend, we are always to be active witnesses of our Lord in this world, regardless of the circumstances. Our testimony of faith in the one true God is just what the world needs at this very time. In fact, it is in the darkness that the light shines so much brighter.
Jesus Himself came “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79)
But what is this light that He refers to? And how can we have this promised peace, especially considering all that is happening in the world around us?
It is Jesus Himself.
He came not only to show the way, but to be the Way! Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Jesus is the very Light the world so desperately needs (John 8:12). Tweet that
In order to have true peace and to be enlightened by Jesus people must take two actions:
- Sincerely repent of our sin – turn away from sin and head in the opposite direction towards God.
- We must trust in Jesus and in Him alone. No one, including you and me, could ever have any hope of obtaining everlasting life apart from Him.
Jesus said “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
Although we aren’t the source of the light (Jesus is), we are to speak and act as children of Light.
For you are all children of light, children of the day.
We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5
Walk as children of light.
Ephesians 5:8
So take every opportunity to speak boldly about the hope that is within you.
This world needs the Giver of light. Don’t hide your light under a cover, lift your lampstand high, so that He may be known among the people during this time in history.
The time during which you have been called to shine His Truth, His Word, and His Light!
How are you being a light to those in darkness around you?
Zohar is a Messianic Jew from Israel, husband to Tehila (womenabiding.com :-)), and father of their 5 children aged 5 – 19 years old. Originally an Engineer by profession, Zohar felt called to attend a Bible School in New Zealand in 2008, after which God led him to minister with Celebrate Messiah New Zealand, sharing the Gospel with backpackers, and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith to believers.
