An angry pastor by the name of Roger Jimenez of Sacramento made the news when he stated, in regard to the Orlando massacre, "I'm kind of upset that he didn't finish the job because these people are predators. They are abusers, they take advantage of people."
That this pastor would utter such hateful and despicable words in the name of Christ is heartbreaking, embarrassing and contrary to the message of the gospel of Christ. If Christians intend to cite Old Testament passages for application to today, let's cite a few others:
“Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished" (Proverbs 17:5 ESV).
Or, how about this one:
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:5-7 ESV).
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, released a statement on social media in which he stated, "We believe that all people are created in the image of God." Christians and Jews alike believe this to be true.
As image-bearers of God, the survivors of this tragedy and the families and friends who lost loved ones deserve our compassion. They need our compassion desperately.
Christians, if you can't see people who are different than you in light of the gospel of Christ and the need each of us has for redemption from sin, please reconsider your position and ask the Savior, whom you profess to follow, to show you the truth of His word regarding this tragedy.
There is no "trivial" sin any of us has ever committed that places us any closer to the Lord or more deserving of His forgiveness. In fact, if you hate anyone for any reason, Jesus says you are guilty of murder, and the very passages cited as justification for these killings in Orlando apply to those who hate, because murderers are also worthy of the death penalty.
It's a mystery and a miracle that He saves us at all when we consider our selfishness, greed, impatience, false superiority and apathy. Romans 3:23 tells us "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of that sin is death.
From a Biblical perspective, all have sinned. All deserve death. Not any one person over another. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Do you get that, Christians? Forgiveness. That is what Jesus offers to all.
Please don't misinterpret an application of civil government in 2000 B.C.E. as appropriate for today. The truth of the Law of God written in the Pentateuch should be interpreted in principle as to how we live. We mustn't arbitrarily pick and choose that to which we ascribe and those civil penalties we let fall by the wayside. Otherwise we wouldn't eat bacon, we'd stone to death our rebellious children and wouldn't mix fabrics. If you profess to be a Christian, all of Scripture must be interpreted in light of the truth of the Gospel of Christ. That truth tells us this:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9.)
So, Christians, take some time to formulate a truly biblical response to this horrific tragedy in Orlando. Mourn the loss of life, mourn the tragic circumstances, consider the eternal significance of those who die without Christ, and then do something about it. Send a meal to a family who is planning a burial. Call the Red Cross or the local blood bank, and donate in memory of those who were murdered.
We have no right to dust off our hands and mutter "good riddance." If Jesus were standing before you, would you dare? I think I would be on my face. I have no room to talk and am less deserving of His grace than many. I couldn't begin to understand His ways, let alone assume I have a right to speak for Him in any way at all. The greatest commandment is to "love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength," followed closely by "love your neighbor as yourself." This is what's required of us. Another Old Testament passage from Micah calls for us to "seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with [our] God." Love isn't something we feel, but something we do. They will know we are Christians by our love. If we don't have love, everything else we say and do is just meaningless noise.
