How Should Christians Respond to Terrorism?

The picture to the right is the scene outside the Bataclan concert hall where Helene Muyal-Leiris was one of 129 people who were murdered by terrorists in Paris this past Friday.  Her husband Antoine Leiris posted an incredibly moving message on Facebook telling the terrorists, "I will not grant you the gift of my hatred."

Antoine's response to his agony over losing his wife of 12 years prompted me to ask the question, how would I respond?  How should I respond as a Christian to yet another attack by terrorists?

Our natural response is to take justice into our own hands.  Just remember, that's the government's job.  They don't "bear the sword" for nothing (Romans 13:1-4). The government's job is to defend its people and bring to justice those who hurt us.  Some have argued that going to war against terrorists in other countries isn't defense.  That may be true.  It depends on the motives of those who are making the decisions.  If they are choosing to go to war as a way of defending us, then that's their God-given right.  They are acting as the arm of justice of God when they punish wrongdoers.

However, how do we as Christians respond in the face of such evil?  Listen to what God tells us in the apostle Paul's letter to the Romans in Romans 12:9-21.  Take a moment to read those verses.  God's answer is simple to say, much harder to do.  Overcome evil with good.  How?

1) Love as God first loved you.  The key is to view everyone as a soul for whom Jesus died and treat them accordingly.  Love changes people.  Just ask any former Muslim now turned Christian how powerful a force Jesus' love really is.

2) Pray for them.  Follow Jesus' example when He said in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them..." even as they inflicted awful torture on His body.  Praying to forgive someone who has done awful things isn't easy.  Yet, the power to forgive comes from God.  Talk to Him about it.  He listens and then acts.  After all, He forgave you (and me.)  Forgiveness releases us from the pain.

3) Defend yourself, but don't take revenge.  If danger is imminent to you or those you love, take legal action to protect and defend yourself.  However, if harm has already been done leave room for God's wrath on the wrongdoer.  Remember, that's the government's job.  It's no accident that Romans 13 follows what God says in Romans 12.  As Antoine said, "I will not grant you the gift of my hatred."  He is leaving room for justice to be served.

4) Don't be afraid.  In case you forgot, God is still God.  He is always with us.  His words to Joshua so many centuries ago are still words for you and me today.  Read Joshua 1:7-9.

Terrorists may take our life, but they can't take our soul.  When Jesus rose from the dead, He proved His promise in John 14:1-3,  Jesus is coming back.  On that day, everything will be made right.  Terrorism will stop forever.  We will live forever.  In the mean time, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."