Is the capture of Osama bin Laden the greatest hope for peace in the world? Some seem to think so. Would his imprisonment or death free billions of people to live with hope for their future? Not really.
Certainly it is good for a terrorist like bin Laden to be captured. However, is Osama bin Laden our greatest threat to peace and joy? No, he is not. In the age of terrorism and in America’s fight in the war on terror, we often lose sight of our greatest enemy.
Islam is not our greatest enemy and neither are Islamic fundamentalists or Al-Queda terrorists. And unlike the current thinking of some in the Muslim world, America is not Islam’s greatest enemy and it is not the Great Satan. Even Satan himself is not our greatest enemy. So what is our greatest enemy? What truly is the Great Satan? Sin—our sin, that is, the sin within each and every one of us.
Osama bin Laden cannot send anyone to hell. Islam cannot send anyone to hell. Not even Satan can send anyone to hell. Sin and sin alone is what sends people to hell. God is holy and he judges us for our sin and each one of us is full of it. Our greatest enemy and the greatest threat to our joy, peace and happiness is sin.
Dustin,
I really like this post. It’s so easy and tempting to look outside ourselves to find and focus on all kinds of threats to our peace and joy. But I am a sinner and you’re right–the battle is within. I’m so glad Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners and that I have a God who (even though I deserve His wrath) loved me so much that He sent Jesus to die in my place so that if I believe in Him I can have everlasting joy and peace.
Jenny,
I fight this battle everyday. I too am thankful for our gracious God!
Dustin,
God is our enemy and we are His enemy! Sin will not send us to hell. It is God who will send people to hell. Jesus said, “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. but I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, i tell you, fear Him!” (Lu 12:4-5). He demands that we surrender to Him and seek forgiveneses. This forgiveness He offers through His Son, Jesus Christ. Sinful man rebels against a merciful God who offers to him forgiveness at every turn.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Felix
Felix,
You are right that it is God who sends people to Hell, for he is the judge. What I am trying to get at is that sin is our greatest enemy because it is an enemy that we can never make peace with. It is an enemy that we may never stop fighting against. It is an enemy that always seeks our destruction.