ISRAEL UPDATEOctober 6, 2002 - When a photograph was produced this past spring of a Palestinian baby pictured with artificial dynamite strapped to it, an outcry from many caused the family to come forward and apologize, stating it was just a joke.
This past few week a fashion show in Beirut gave us a glimpse of a young lady modeling a dress that appeared blood splattered, riddled with bullet holes, and a military tank - supposedly depicting the struggle against Israel by the Palestinians.
I have in my collection a video that has been produced and shown in the Palestinian controlled areas, where children are told to drop their toys and pick up rocks to fight for the “cause”.
This video further depicts the glory of these children being martyred and the joy of their parents - who are willing to sacrifice them.
One cannot help but monitor these patterns on a regular basis and realize that this violent pattern in Israel will not end, because it is woven into the fabric of their society.
So as the voices of the world combine to clamor for peace, every avenue that is connected to Arafat – from Tanzin, Task Force 17, and Fatah - to Hamas and Islamic Jihad - to Saddam Hussein, Saudi Arabia, and even the children of Palestine – all are bent on the wholesale destruction of Israel and are using every way possible, even their future generation.
October 6, 2002 - One of the problems the church has struggled with since its inception has been keeping a balance between holiness and legalism.
If one is not careful, we can get caught up into dangerous areas. First, getting caught up in man's opinion rather than the Scripture, and secondly, to force our personal beliefs on others.
Jesus told his followers, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-28.
Jesus was telling his followers not to mutilate their bodies, but also not to let the sin build, as did King David. For if he had looked and walked away, there would have been no problem.
But David lingered, looked and lusted, then committed the sin, because it grew in his heart - then was acted upon - and thereby “snowballed” out of control.
The Hebrew principle of Ka vel chomer, in modern vernacular, teaches us to “nip it in the bud” - before it grows. It is the lighter of sins, which needs to be dealt with in the infant stage, before they become heavy.
G-d is calling the church to holiness and right living, but it must be understood in the light of the Scriptures - lest we create a legalistic system of which no one has can live up to. Let us remember that it is G-d’s word where we find the balance and live in victory.
To be continued…