The World According to Renshi

If anyone doubts that Iran is the world’s leader of state sponsored terrorism, the fact that all the groups that they support and fund are coming to their aid during this conflict should ease your doubts. It is obvious that Iran is a terrorist state with resources to fund and promote acts of aggression throughout the world. Additionally, with their geographic location, they are able to hold the world hostage by shutting down the Strait of Hormus. The regime is evil. So, what do we do about it?

As Christians it is clearly written in the teachings of Jesus that we are to love our neighbors and our enemies. In the Old Testament, it is obvious that God supports war against enemies of Israel. Do we pluck from the Old Testament and the New Testament to satisfy whatever we want to do? Jesus tells that war will come and nation will rise against nation. But, He does not condone it.

It is a struggle for certain. Jesus says He has come to fulfill the laws and prophesies of old, not to erase or change them. So, what do we do? Do we let an aggressor who has stated they want to eradicate Israel continue promoting evil, or do we do everything we can do to stop them? Do we let a terrorist nation hold the rest of the world hostage, or do we stop them? These questions have been asked for centuries and I certainly don’t have a better answer than anyone else. Jesus certainly didn’t have a problem mixing it up with money changers and hypocrites in the Temple so I do believe He wants us to stand up for righteousness and against those who persecute and take advantage of people – and Iran’s regime fits that description.

Unfortunately, the United States is not a model of righteousness either. In fact, no country is, given people live in and govern these territories and we are all sinners who continuously disobey God. Let’s face it, we are in this conflict for two reasons – one is helping defend Israel. The other is protecting our own interests in the area. We use the excuse that Iran is persecuting their own people, and that should be a reason, but in reality it is the global economy and threat of nuclear war that is the cause of the conflict.

Jesus would tell us to respond with love and kindness. That prosecution of the evil-doer is God’s responsibility. I certainly don’t have the answer. I personally detest bullies and bullying and I think that is what Iran is doing. However, I think our President Trump is a bully as well… I support Israel. I support the people of Iran who have been persecuted. I support our troops and those of other countries who are threatened by Iran’s regime. And I support prayer.