Christians: Don't Use His Name to Stop My Party

Non-believers are forever asking us, Christians, how we can reconcile a loving God with all the ugly things in the world. Wouldn't a good God put an end to natural disasters, diseases, and other forms of suffering? Why would he stand by, arms folded, while innocent people died?

My answer is: yes, a loving God would put an end to those things. And, in fact, the one true God of Heaven says that once everyone has chosen their teams He will come back wearing a robe dipped in blood and wipe out the evil-doers. He will lock away Satan and anyone who rejected the free gift of salvation forever, and the armies of God will celebrate with a victory feast.

So why, when the brave US military ends the life of a man proud to carry a name symbolic of death and injustice, do the fearful and the pacifists begin raining on this country's parade?

I've heard the one-sentence argument: Jesus loves Osama bin Laden. But, does "love" really let terror reign?

As I've said before, the truth doesn't always make for a cutesy little Facebook status. Sometimes we have to dig deeper. And, when I dig through my Bible, I cannot ignore that God uses military language when speaking of ousting evil. It just so happens I'm reading in Isaiah right now, and it's positively loaded with examples of God's conquesting side. In some circumstances, God used military campaigns to further His will.

For example, when the Isrealites wandered through the desert, they tried passing through the lands of several enemy tribes. Repeatedly, Moses sent word to the tribes' kings: "We want to pass through peacefully." But, each time, those kings would respond with something akin to: "You're going to have to make me."

So, they did. Once the stubborn-hearted kings refused the offer of peace, our justice-loving God commanded the Isrealites to wipe them out. In fact, they were considered disobedient if they let anybody live. When a king used his freewill to make a choice against God, it left God with just one choice of His own.

Likewise, as I've mentioned, the time for choosing to ally ourselves with God will end, and all of His enemies will be eliminated. Those repeating "Jesus loved Osama" are leaving out Jesus' jusice and choosing to ignore the fact that Osama is accountable for his actions. Even if one tries to argue--along with Rob Bell--that no one ever goes to Hell, the fact is that eternal separation from God (or spiritual death) is the only option for someone who rejects that incredible love. Some people simply choose rebellion. And, though I don't understand why, they want nothing to do with my Osama-loving God.

Yes, Jesus loved Osama bin Laden. But Osama himself couldn't care less. When confronted with the words of Jesus, bin Laden scoffed. He heard the pleas of the innocent, the cries for freedom, and the demands that he end is reign of terror, yet he covered his ears and told America where to shove her ideologies. It sounds nobel to say "We shouldn't rejoice! Jesus loves everyone!" or to wonder whether bin Laden's cohorts will retaliate with even greater sins, but I reject both of these options. Bin Laden made his choice.

And now I choose to rejoice because I've witnessed a bit of justice on earth.

God bless the U.S.A.