A Time to Build and a Time to Tear Down?

All over the world there are children being taught to believe a particular world view. Some of these views teach that to hate and kill is honorable – i.e. many Islamic Madrasahs. These children never really get much of a chance to learn anything different. Their fathers, grandfathers, etc., have tried very earnestly to indelibly imprint this view on each successive generation. This is not just in the Middle East. It’s increasingly taking place in the USA, in the UK, in Canada, and etc.

            People today may wonder when they hear one of the things God said in the Ten Commandments, in Exodus 20:5, He says, “. . . for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me”. Well, as the preceding paragraph shows, humans have a tendency to entwine their offspring in a cycle that is hard to break. God knew that. That’s why He was warning us. What we do has an impact far beyond ourselves.

            This goes far beyond just belief systems, too. Most sociologists and psychologists would readily point to the behavioral patterns of alcohol abuse, child abuse, and etc. as proof that these patterns can be instilled in our offspring and that the cycle can be a difficult one to break. But, because a belief or behavior is ingrained doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. Unlike the Ten Commandments people aren’t carved in stone.

So what exactly did God mean and what does this mean for us? Well, consider what God said following the preceding quote. In Exodus 20:6, He said, “And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments”. Simply put, it means that if we have no others before Him – like Mohammed or Buddha; and, we have no idols before Him – like booze, power, fame, violence, sex or anything that you desire more than God; and, we love Him and keep His commandments; he will have mercy on us.

If you are someone caught in one of these cycles give God a chance. Turn to Him and the Grace He offers through Jesus Christ. Your road won’t be an easy one; but, breaking that cycle can literally help change the world. If you know someone else caught in these cycles, pray for them, love them, and help them.

Sometimes as Christians we must do more than help build. We must also help destroy. In this case we must help destroy the cycles that hold so many in worldly chains - chains that restrain them from seeing and seeking God’s love. Like the old saying goes, “to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs”. Just remember you are breaking eggs to create something you want – not because you don’t like eggshells.