I went to a Christian bookstore today. I had some extra time to waste during lunch break and, after debating whether or not to go to the library to research respiratory drains, I headed for the bookstore, just to look. (I did make a purchase, two bibles; one for my daughter and one for my husband, and a copy of Lewis' "Mere Christianity.") Near the back of the shop there is a row of pamphlets or as they are more commonly known, tracks. I have a general negative opinion about these little pieces of literature. Today I found some that horrified me. On the front of the track was a picture of Saddam Hussein with the caption, 'Fighting a War Against Evil.' I flipped the pack over and the back of these tracks had a little check box next to an 'invitation to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.' Now, I want to know how they went from killing someone you don't know because another man has labeled him as 'evil', (and devastating an entire country in the process), to accepting Jesus. Too bad they were enclosed in cellophane, rendering me helpless to do anything but guess. Perhaps there is a great call to repentance within the pamphlet, illustrating that war itself is the evil. I allowed myself to imagine this momentarily before glancing at the publisher and realizing that it is probably an application of the Just War Theory, rather. How unfortunate. I'm certain that these have been handed out in churches and in public places by well meaning but misled people.
'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'—Mathew 5.43-48
Perfection is loving all equally and unconditionally, like our Father. If we want to fight a war against evil, we should first be able to recognize it. It is the spirit that causes man to rise up against each other. It is the spirit that brings the greatest grief to our heavenly Father, making him watch as his children slaughter each other. Evil is only conquered by love. God help us to love as you love.