And The Lights Went Out In Paris

I'm not quite sure how to begin this blog post without simply saying the world needs Jesus. This tragedy that has struck France grieves the whole world. I eagerly look forward to the day that Christ comes back and wipes away every tear, and makes all things new.

But this terrible time of suffering should not surprise us. Ever since sin entered the world, there has been suffering. And although I know that doesn't ease the hurt of the victims, we must acknowledge that the world will indeed be falling apart until the beginning of eternity. It seems harsh to say, but at least for myself, it is encouraging to know that all the suffering in the world is momentary in light of eternity. I pray that this is what any Christian holds on to, whether involved in the bombing or not. Last time I checked, there were 129 dead, 352 injured, and 99 at critical status. That's a steep number.

Most of what I've heard regarding the situation is one of sympathy and fellowship. But it kills me that a typical reaction to ISIS in the United States is one of fighting fire with fire. Yes, ISIS has killed an
innumerable amount of people, Christians included. But does it pain us that if we "take out" these Muslim extremists, that they are yet another person that will not know the glory of God in heaven? It should stir us deep in our souls that these people are acting out of sin, thinking that their Allah is real. It should deeply rock us as Christians that Muslims are people who do not know Jesus. It should move us to evangelize and bring the name of Jesus to Muslims who have never given a thought to the one true power of the Holy Spirit.

May this be a reminder to never pass up an opportunity to share the Gospel. Be it a Muslim, a guy at the gas station, or your best friend. Go.

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