The absolute depths of our

"fallen sinful world" flashed before our eyes yesterday we watched

with horror the events unfold. We, of course, condemn and grieve these

most gruesome acts of sin, and we pray for God's peace to come in full

measure to give help and hope to all who need it so desperately at this

time.

So many questions remain unanswered

at this time. And for some questions there will never be answers. BUT

there are GOOD ANSWERS to several questions.

Question One: Was

this "God's Will"? Did He intend for this to happen as a part

of His plan? Answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT! God has made

it wonderfully clear by His Holy Word in Scripture that God's Will for

us is safety and peace and love. It is NOT "God's Business"

to kill innocent people in such horrible attacks. These hideous crimes

were the willful sinful acts of deranged people. Atrocities such as these,

unfortunately, are a part of living in our "fallen sinful world".

Question Two:

Why did God let this happen? Why didn't He come with "divine intervention"

and simply use His Power to stop the terrorists before they even got started?

Answer: God has made our incredible world as part of His

whole marvelous creation. He has given us remarkable freedoms and choices

as his "creatures". We enjoy great benefits through these choices.

We enjoy great freedom within our world with God's good and loving permission.

We don't really know "why?" God continues to give these freedoms

to us, but we know that God has chosen to let us make choices ­ and,

again unfortunately, some people will always choose the wrong and terrible

things to do.

Question Three: Why

hasn't God done something about this "fallen sinful world",

these "hideous crimes" and "willful sinful acts"?

Answer: HE HAS! And that's the Best GOOD NEWS! He has redeemed

our world! He has destroyed the power of these to overcome us! This is

the purpose of Jesus coming to earth to live and die and rise again ­

in order to grant the full salvation we so desperately need! This world

IS REDEEMED! It IS SAVED! On the cross and in the empty tomb of Jesus,

God has fought and WON the ultimate battle with sin, death, and the devil.

And not only is the "world saved", but WE are redeemed and saved

as well! This will all be fully revealed and made obvious to us when Christ

returns and brings his perfect and final rule in totality at the end of

time. In the meantime we simply say in faith, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Question Four: So,

where do we go from here? What do we do now, in the meantime? Answer:

We TRUST ­ not in our government (though we have the best human

government possible!), not in "our way of life" (though we have

the best life possible!). These will ultimately fail us, as good as they

are. As they did yesterday. Rather, we TRUST IN GOD and the peace that

only He can give! We can have confidence that this world's sin and suffering

are nothing compared to the joys of eternal life we will have with God

and His Son and the Holy Spirit AND ALL the "company of saints in

light"! Despite tragedies and atrocities, we can move forward, living

each day in hope and assurance and even JOY! We can celebrate life knowing

that our greatest blessings in this life come from believing in God, worshipping

Him, and loving and serving one another in His Name!

Finally: These

words of Jesus are perhaps the most meaningful message to us right now

(from John 14:27): Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my

peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not

your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

(Kollmeyer is Sr. Pastor of

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville between Lowe's and The

Pavilion. Those in our community without a church home are invited to

"try" either the Early Service at 8:00, or the Contemporary

Service at 9:30, or the Traditional Service at 11:15. For more information

please call 770-461-3403 or log-on at www.popdove.com)

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