"These are the times that try men's souls."

By David J. Riggs

Short Time Line Regarding What Happened On Tues. Sept. 11, 2001:
- Shortly before 9 a.m., the first plane crashes into one of the
towers.
- Shortly after 9 a.m., a second plane crashes into second tower.
- 40 minutes after the New York attacks, another aircraft crashes
into the Pentagon.
- Shortly after 10 a.m., the south Tower collapses.
- Also around 10 a.m., another plane crashes in western Pennsylvania.
- 10:28 a.m., the north Tower collapses.
- Shortly after 1 p.m., President Bush vows to do "whatever is
necessary" to punish those responsible.

I. The current events are a sobering reminder of how quickly
   physical life can be taken from us.
   A.  In a very short time, many people died.
   B. These were ordinary people like you and I.
      1. These were people who got up, ate breakfast, brushed their
         teeth, made themselves presentable, took the kids to school,
         or whatever, and went to work just like they did every day.
      2. Yet, for them, Tuesday was their last day here on earth.
   C. How many of these innocent people were ready to meet their
      Maker?
      1. We need to be ready at all times.

II. The devil was at work when terrorists guided planes into selected
   targets.
   A. The spirit of Christ was at work in the goodness of the        
      citizens who tried, and continue to try, to help their         
      fellowmen in distress.
   B. The terrorists used innocent citizens to murder innocent       
      citizens.
      1. Colan Powell made the statement, "This was murder, and
         murder is wrong in all religions."
      2. Indeed, the murdering of innocent citizens is wrong in all
         religions and countries.

III. Our government is responsible in punishing "evil doers." Rom.
      13:1-7
   A. The "powers that be" (governing authorities) are appointed or
      ordained by God. Vs. 1
      1. This has always been true. Dan. 4:28-32; Acts 17:26
   B. Civil government is God's "terrorist" to those who do evil. Vs.
      3
   C. It is the minister of God to take the life of the lawbreaker   
      (the sword). Vs. 4a
   D. It is God's means of executing vengeance on the evil doer. Vs. 
      4b

IV. Our obligations to civil government:
   A. Be subject. Rom. 13:1,5; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14
      1. Laws must be established. Without laws, confusion reigns,
         and everyone becomes a law to himself. Judges 21:25
   B. Render tribute, custom, taxes. Rom. 13:6-7; Matt. 22:21
   C. Render fear and honor. Rom. 13:7
   D. Pray for them. 1 Tim. 2:1-2
      1. No doubt, this is the most important service Christians can
         render at this time.
   E. Summary: Obey, pay taxes, render fear and honor, and pray for
      them.
      1. Christians in all countries are under these same            
         obligations.

V. However, suppose the government commands us to:
   A. Steal. Eph. 4:28
      1. Lie. Eph. 4:25
      2. Swear. Matt. 5:34; James 5:12
      3. Murder. Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:19-21
   B. Consider:
      1. Daniel 6:7,10
      2. The three Hebrews. Dan. 3:16-18
      3. Apostles. Acts 4:18-21; 5:27-29

VI. The Christian's responsibilities toward his enemies.
   A. Do not avenge yourselves - Rom. 12:19
      1. The government is given the role of the avenger. Rom. 13:4;
         1 Pet. 2:13-15
      2. Rom. 13 does not tell how God uses Christians to exercise
         vengeance, but how God, to whom Christians leave it,
         carries it out.
   B. Shall not learn war anymore - Isa. 2:4; Zech. 9:10
      1. Some say, "This refers only to the peaceful nature of the
         kingdom." But, the nature of the kingdom is the nature of
         Christians.
      2. Christ changed the nature of God's people.
   C. Do not render evil for evil - Rom. 12:17; 1 Pet. 3:9
      1. The Christian cannot do it personally, or as an agent for
         anyone.
      2. The Christian is always accountable for his actions.
   D. Love and do good to enemies - Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20; Rom.
      13:10
      1. This applies to all enemies.
      2. There are no passages which make a distinction between
         different kinds of enemies (national and personal) and which
         show the Christian's responsibility toward each.
      3. Do I show love or goodwill to my enemy by bombing and
         burning him?
      4. Consider the "spirit" of James and John. Luke 9:51-55
   E. Christ condoned fleeing - Matt. 24:15-16; Luke 21:20-21
      1. Those Jewish Christians in that time would have been
         tempted to stay and fight for their country, but Christ     
         said, "flee."
      2. German citizens under Nazi Germany were forced to serve in
         the military, and follow in all the evils promoted by the
         military.
         a. German Christians had to either try to flee or die.
   F. Put away all bitterness, hatred, murder, etc. Eph. 4:31; Gal.
      5:19-21
      1. The training of good soldiers includes:
         a. An education which endeavors to drill hate into them.
            The best soldiers are those who have an intense, deep-
            rooted hate for their enemy.
            (1) Many have asked regarding those who did the
                current destruction, "Why do they hate us?" "What
                have we done to them to cause them to want to
                destroy us?"
            (2) They have been trained to utterly hate us.
         b. Soldiers are trained to go to great lengths to           
            exterminate or capture the enemy.
            (1) They think nothing of using cruel, barbaric means
                to destroy their enemy.

Concl.
   A. Whether or not one can personally go to war for his country is 
      a question each individual must decide.
   B. Nonetheless, all Christians agree that the government has the
      right to bring vengeance on evil doers.
      1. Let us pray that our government might use good judgment in
         rendering vengeance on the murderers of our fellow citizens.
      2. Let us pray that no more innocent citizens will be killed,
         whether in this country or elsewhere.

Chart:
The Christian's Responsibilities Toward His Enemies
Do not avenge yourselves - Rom. 12:19
Shall not learn war anymore - Isa. 2:4; Zech 9:10
Do not render evil for evil - Rom. 12:17; 1 Pet. 3:9
Love and do good to your enemies - Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20; 13:10
Christ condoned fleeing - Matt. 24:15-16; Luke 21:20-21
Put away all bitterness, hatred, murder, etc. - Eph. 4:31; Gal.
5:19-21