What has happened in Paris is terrible. It’s heartbreaking. Anytime evil attempts to prevail and lives are taken, it’s crushing. When these moments take place, people question things. People question God.
We started receiving comments immediately upon the news breaking of terrorism happening in Paris.
- “Don’t you DARE bring your religion into this. That’s what they did. Religion is RESPONSIBLE for this, ignoramus.”
- “This is too little to late, God is deaf, or dead.”
We can’t cover every situation when it comes to tragedy within a single blog post, but what we can do, is talk about the Christian response within the face of tragedy. Whether it’s Paris or anything else, followers of Jesus can be sure of their response when these moments happen. Let’s start with the actual problem, followed by 2 responses.
The Problem With Sin
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
The Bible teaches that all have sinned. Every, single, one of us, have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. What we see on earth today is not always the picture of God’s glory. Our world is drenched in sinful ways and sinful thinking that pollutes what God had originally planned. When we question God, it might be worth it to consider maybe we don’t have a true understanding of God in the first place.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
Not only is everyone sinful, but we all have an enemy. Our enemy is always looking for someone to devour, is a liar, a thief, is cruel, and shows no mercy.
Sin is the reason for tragedy.
While that may sound dark and depressing, it’s helpful to know who we really are and what state we are really living in day to day. That gives us our backdrop to understand why the “Good News” is REALLY Good News.
We Respond By Serving And Loving Our Neighbors
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
The Good News is Jesus Christ. Being as sinful as we are, there’s no way we could have a relationship with a perfect God. We need something to bridge the gap for us to make a way to God. Jesus bridged that gap.
The fact that Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died on the cross taking on penalty for all of our past, present, and future sins, and then rose from the dead defeating death and sin in victory is AMAZING. Let’s not forget what Jesus has done for us, for those who have decided to surrender their life to Him and follow Him.
As the Bible teaches, Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He gave His life for us which is the best model we could ever have for how we are to love others here on this earth.
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Jesus is the authority and dictates the Christian life, not tragedy.
We were all in tragedy at some point when we were separated from God. For those who believe and follow Jesus, He has saved us for all eternity. So when tragedy strikes, we confidently love and serve others because Jesus did that for us. When tragedy strikes, we give hope to the broken world. When tragedy strikes, we shine like a light in darkness.
We Respond By Praying For Our Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:43-44
This response might be the most difficult for us in times of tragedy, but we need to remember…we’ve all been enemies of God before. He surely didn’t give up on us or hate us. In fact, He died for us.
We need to desperately pray for our enemies. Not to justify their sinful actions, but for them to stop what they are doing and see there’s a better way (just like we needed to see in the past as well). We need to pray for them to see Jesus and for God to rescue them out of the domain of darkness and transfer them to the kingdom of His beloved Son, where redemption and forgiveness of sins can be found (Colossians 1:13-14).
Praying for our enemies can’t belittle what has happened to the victims either. As we pray for our enemies, we love and serve others with compassion to remind them that The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Let’s remember in the face of tragedy that God is still on His throne. He is still in control. He is still good. This is why we minister to others.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Here are Frequently Asked Questions and how the Bible answers them.
Questions: Is there anything you would add to this? What are other responses you believe are fitting for a follower of Christ in the midst of tragedy? Please comment and join the discussion.
Tragedy strikes and God does nothing, this is an atheist’s nail in the coffin. This article does not speak to atheists. I’m heavily struggling with my faith and when Christians answer this question with talk of sin and sacrifice it pushes me further away. Perhaps christians should find logical ways to defend their faith instead of preaching to the choir like this. We need to level with everyone struggling with this issue, and this article holds no water. The search continues.
Hey David, appreciate you sharing and I’m sorry you feel this way about the post. The hope is that this post calls Christians to love one another and love them well..especially in the midst of when tragedy happens. And continue to pray against the enemy and sin, and look forward to the day when Jesus returns…where tragedy will be no more.
People who become offended & indignant, demanding to know where God is/was in the midst of these atrocities are the usually the ones who are not following God. They fail to understand that God’s coverage is not promised to those who are not believing in and following Him.
Thanks for sharing Verna. I agree that most people may not really understand or know God before making comments, but we have an opportunity to share the love of Christ to them and at least share with them what the Bible teaches. Even that God’s coverage may not protect a Christian from harm (since we will face harm because of sin), but that we’re covered by Jesus. I think the more we continue to love others, share the Gospel, and make disciples…especially within tragedy…the more God will be glorified and it’ll be a great testimony to those who don’t yet… Read more »
I think there is a huge difference between an enemy and swine that we should not give our pearls to lest we be torn assunder. The bible also says resist the devil and he will flee from you. What is missing from the Christian response is resistance to evil and there is some evil that is so far gone that praying for and turning the other cheek is throwing your pearls before swine. Christ cast demons into the pigs and sent them over the cliff, that’s how he felt with evil swine and how we should deal with ISIS
Hey Scot, thanks for sharing. I think that we don’t need to throw our pearls before swine as in as we love others, share the Gospel with them, etc. and there is no response over time, we can move on…but we can still pray for their salvation and for God to make Himself known to them. We might just not be practically involved in their day to day lives anymore. The Bible says to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil. Big difference than just resisting the devil. We couldn’t do that in our own strength anyway. As we… Read more »
There are no bigger pearls than the salvation message and compassion. However there are those like ISIS who are to far gone for the normal Christian response. GOD ordered Nephilium tribes destroyed because of their evil. I think resisting is a more direct and active. There can be a balance of love and grace but strong resistance to evil. I agree with Dietrich Bonhoffer who died trying to killed Hitler. The least we can do is Stand up and speak out saying no this is wrong. Too many Christians are spineless and wimpy.
There are many involved with ISIS who have become disillusioned and even disgusted with their crimes and killing. Some have successfully escaped. I believe many have lost their lives trying to leave. Others are afraid and don’t know what to do. I think it would be more beneficial to pray that the areas where ISIS has a stronghold be set free, their power broken, for courage and strength for those who want to leave ISIS and radical Islam, and for their hearts to be open and receptive to the Gospel. Instead of concentrating so much on anihilating everyone, we should… Read more »