Since Osama Bin Ladin's death a week ago, I have read many things about his killing. Most Americans, and many around the world, including many Muslims, are glad he is gone. Responses to his death have ranged from relief to rejoicing in the streets. But some have reminded us that the Bible says we are to love our enemies, including Osama Bin Ladin. Certainly Jesus says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44). But, does that mean we must love someone like Osama Bin Ladin?
Jesus died for everyone, because God loves everyone (John 3:16). Since He died for everyone, He wants us to love everyone. We must pray for everyone, that everyone will come to a faith in, and an obedience to, Jesus Christ. It should not be our desire that any one should go to Hell. We should be active in teaching God's Word to the lost, to try to keep them from going to Hell.
But, what about Osama Bin Ladin? Jesus says, "Love your enemies." I prayed for Osama many times, as every Christian should have. But, we must remember that he was an evil man who had directed the murder of thousands of innocent people, including many Muslims. He was still doing that right up until his death, as far as we know. No doubt many that he killed were God's people. Though no one was entirely safe from his terrorist threats, I never really thought of him as my enemy. Osama Bin Ladin was everyone's enemy. When hearing that the Navy Seals had killed him, I did not think of it as my enemy being killed. I thought of it as the murderer of thousands on 911 being killed. I thought of the relief from the threat of many more deaths at Osama's direction.
While we must love everyone, including Osama Bin Ladin, and not wish that any should go to Hell, we can be relieved, and rejoice, that a threat to all of us is gone. Osama's heart was hardened in his desire to kill innocent people, not just what he called the "infodels." He was never going to allow love to come into his heart. The world is better off without someone like him.
L. John Bost
Jesus died for everyone, because God loves everyone (John 3:16). Since He died for everyone, He wants us to love everyone. We must pray for everyone, that everyone will come to a faith in, and an obedience to, Jesus Christ. It should not be our desire that any one should go to Hell. We should be active in teaching God's Word to the lost, to try to keep them from going to Hell.
But, what about Osama Bin Ladin? Jesus says, "Love your enemies." I prayed for Osama many times, as every Christian should have. But, we must remember that he was an evil man who had directed the murder of thousands of innocent people, including many Muslims. He was still doing that right up until his death, as far as we know. No doubt many that he killed were God's people. Though no one was entirely safe from his terrorist threats, I never really thought of him as my enemy. Osama Bin Ladin was everyone's enemy. When hearing that the Navy Seals had killed him, I did not think of it as my enemy being killed. I thought of it as the murderer of thousands on 911 being killed. I thought of the relief from the threat of many more deaths at Osama's direction.
While we must love everyone, including Osama Bin Ladin, and not wish that any should go to Hell, we can be relieved, and rejoice, that a threat to all of us is gone. Osama's heart was hardened in his desire to kill innocent people, not just what he called the "infodels." He was never going to allow love to come into his heart. The world is better off without someone like him.
L. John Bost
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