Not a bad term, "citizens of the cross!" For that is exactly what we believers are. Our redemption stems directly from the death, burial and resurrection of the real and only Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord.

This group (Boko Haram) is linked with ISIS, people for whom to live is death, torture and terrorism. Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Just how are we supposed to do that with people whose prime directive is to torture and annihilate men, women and children, elderly and newborn, by the most barbaric means possible; people who return our Christian love with violent, bitter hatred?

Since the Scriptures declare that "God is Love" (1 Jn. 4:8,16), it makes sense that we should view our enemies through the eyes of a loving God. It certainly is no stretch to conclude that this is what Jesus meant. Some think that an act of love is to kindly pat our enemies on the head and treat them with gentleness and compassion.

But isn't it also an act of love to punish and destroy Evil? Love for those we are obligated to defend and protect? Do we not do this with errant people in our society? It's called correction and punishment. That's why we put people in prison. That's the rationale for the death penalty. The death penalty was never meant to rehabilitate (obviously), it is meant to destroy Evil.

I would like to point out that while Jesus taught us to "love your enemy," he did not exempt himself from vituperative, insulting language toward his enemies (scribes, lawyers, Pharisees, Sadducess). It's in the Bible. Look it up.

Further, Jesus told his disciples to arm themselves, viz.,

"Then said he unto them, 'but now, he that has a purse, let him take it . . . and he that has no sword, LET HIM SELL HIS GARMENT AND BUY ONE! And they said, we have two swords. And he said 'IT IS ENOUGH.'"

In arresting Peter, from interference in his purpose, Jesus also said, "He who lives by the sword shall also die by the sword," he was referring to those who wear their antagonism and proclivity to violence on their shoulders like epaulets; these will die in the same manner in which it is their habit to conduct their lives.

But in our consideration of this, let us remember what Jesus himself did in the Temple with the moneychangers and sellers of merchandise. Let us remember how he responded to his critics during his ministry. Jesus was no pacifist. Nor did he oppose bearing arms.

So what does all this tell us about how we are to conduct ourselves toward terrorists like ISIS and Boko Haram?

(silence)

Knock, knock. Is anybody there?

-- PDM

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