THE REAL TERROR For some time to come, like all Americans, I will be distressed by the terrorist acts committed against our citizens. I was forced to turn off the news accounts as my desire to know the facts surrounding the attack was over ruled by the heart-wrenching pleas by the loved ones to know the fate of their family member. It was hard to take. Curiously enough there was a question posed to Jesus Christ inquiring about a similar incident that happened during His life. There were present some who told Him about some Galileans that were brutally murdered along with their sacrifices and Jesus added that there also was a tragic accident of a tower falling and killing innocent people. Like disasters even today many wondered if the victims were terrible sinners and they were receiving their just rewards. Jesus made it clear that was not the case- they were not worst sinners, but just time and chance caught up with them. The important point in the story is that Jesus added- "but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" {Luke 13:5}. Does that mean if you do not repent a tower will fall on you? Not hardly, but if one studies the bible, he will find a common theme: if you are not in a covenant relationship with God, you are no more important than chaff on a threshing floor. We read of seven whole nations marked for extinction merely because they occupied space in the land of Canaan, the promised land of Israel.

For some reason most churches are ignorant of simple Bible truth that reveal that the God of the Old testament, the One that never changes, is none other than the personality we know as Jesus Christ! He is the One that gave the Law to His people. The very Law that identifies what sin is. Without this knowledge, repentance is impossible. As Paul says, I would not have known sin except through the Law {Rm 6:7}.

I write extensively about the Law because it seems that obedience to God’s Laws is the most misunderstood subject in religion today. People have been so deceived by misinformation that many do not even want to be bothered by hearing about some old laws. Please consider Proverbs 28:9, "One who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be an abomination". That is a shocking scripture when we consider how we rally during a national prayer yet miss the fundamental key to get God’s attention- repent of breaking His Laws. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." {Hoes 4}. Our Creator is not an errand boy to be attentive when we are in need- then sit in the back corner when things are going smoothly for us.

We are entering a pivotal time in our nation’s history. Like ancient Israel, we have strayed far from the moral ground God desires us to be on and we may be seeing His protection withdrawn. Like Israel of old, the nation prospered when a good king led them and fell on hard times during the leadership of an evil king. There is a different attitude in the leadership of this land, maybe the last chance to claim the moral high ground and proclaim that the Almighty is our God {in spite of the atheistic movement in this land}, recognize His Laws, and repent of breaking them. Possibly it is too late for national repentance, but as an individual you can enter a covenant relationship with God by repenting, being baptized, and following God’s Laws. In the very last chapter of the Old Testament there is a chilling warning: "Remember the law of Moses… before the coming of the day of the Lord… lest I strike the earth with a curse." You need to be on the right side when Christ returns to separate the sheep from the goats. "Here is the patience of the Saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" {Rev 14:12}. Don’t fall prey and be deceived by the real terrorist, Satan, and recognize God’s holy righteous Law and repent of transgressing it.