Remembering What We Forgot: 9/11

It's really hard to believe today marks twenty-five years since the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

It's also hard to believe that an entire generation has been born and come into adulthood since that time.

It's hard for me to believe, as well, how quickly it seems that we as a nation have forgotten those events.

My desire with this blog is not to be highly political or unnecessarily controversial—meaning I don't feel the need to make bold accusations about leaders and nations and the like just for the sake of "clicks".

But I also desire that this blog be godly and Christ-centered, so I sometimes have to talk about difficult topics.

What happened back in 2001 was a horrific thing. And while we can make a lot of statements about it, I think what I want to add to the conversation is just a small handful of thoughts. I know I could say more, a lot more, but I want to keep this simple.

Firstly, the Bible tells us to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Grievous things like that day bring about a lot of mourning. The church should be about bringing hope, comfort, and the message of the gospel to those who are hurting. Not a false hope, mind you; but a hope that is found in the promises of God.

Secondly, evil is real. We live in a fallen world, and with that, there are people who do evil things. They're not anti-heroes, misunderstood, or living out "their truth", they're straight up bad guys. Through the right and correct means, evil and injustice should be dealt with. Ultimately though, we know that God will deal with evil fully and finally on judgement day. But an important thing to note is this: outside of Christ, we're all bad guys, because outside of Him we are enemies of God. But because of Christ, there is no sin too grievous that He won't forgive those who come to Him in faith. This is the offense of the gospel, but it is glorious to those who have tasted it.

Thirdly, terrible things are still happening today. It's been just over a year since the murder of Charlie Kirk, as well as Iryna Zarutska. Those are just two evil actions of many over the course of just one year. Abortion is a clear and present danger. The mutilation and exploitation of children is still a problem. False religion is still an enemy. Many leaders even in our own nation do not care about the things of God. Particularly in the West, these things are all running rampant, and it can be easy to lose heart. Even worse, it is causing many, including some in the church, to forget the ways of Christ; forgetting that we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-47). What does love do? In our case it cares for their well-being, and that ultimately means that we are to pray for them and share the gospel. We might outlaw abortion, transgenderism, gay marriage, Islam, and any other enemy of the cross, but if the hearts of people aren't changed, then you've simply cleaned up their outside as they march into hell. These ideologies need to be crushed under the gospel of Christ, and that happens as peoples hearts are changed by it. May we be about His work.

Finally, grievous things cause us to long for the return of Christ. One day all evil and injustice will be punished without fail. Meanwhile, every tear, sorrow, and sin will be done away with. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

So, for those of us old enough to have lived through the events of 9/11, remember it.

For those who are too young to know or remember, don't live as if it didn't happen just because you didn't experience it. It did, and evil still happens all around this world to this day.

For all of us, may we be about the kingdom of God, share the gospel, pray for your enemies, mourn with those who mourn, call evil what it is, and look forward to the coming of Christ.

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