"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18
I have been reading some depressing books to kick off my summer reading. The Holocaust fascinates me, so I picked up about four books at the library on it, and one in particular that focuses less on the Jewish people we know were persecuted, and more on the none Jewish victims. Deaf people, Christians, homosexuals, Romanis, and more were blamed for Germany's failings. Hitler swept Germany by methods that never again will be obvious (probably). His presence, even on old film reels, are eerie and intimidating. Knowing who he was and what he permitted is sickening. Trying to measure the hatred in his heart is even more disturbing. How could people believe in a man who was full of evil? Full of hate? Someone who no one, if they knew the reality of how sick and pervasive their motives and acts were, would never dare to worship. Hitler once said, "We shall have no other God, but Germany." Blasphemy! Hitler wanted to abolish anyone who was seen as an hindrance, unfit to live. When we consider Hitler, and him alone, we can see what evil can come from the loosed demons in this world. Quite honestly, Hitler could have been possessed for all I know. What matters, though, is how do we ever avoid going pass the line that divides intolerance and standing up for what is right? Right from wrong? What is seen today that illustrates hatred within us that we may not be aware of? Let's think...
In the book, The Other Victims by Ina R. Friedman, non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust tell their stories. Some were pastors who were taken to concentration camps for preaching against Hitler while others were married to Jewish people, or were born deaf and forced to be sterilized, and some were of an "inferior race," all according to Hitler. One thing that was kind of disheartening was the fact that homosexuals were victims, but there was not one person that would speak up about the shame, humiliation, or death they faced while in the concentration camps. The reason I say this is because whether or not I agree with it, it is something that proves the grip and power of silence and retaliation of everything that happened. The more people speak up about certain issues, the more likely others will follow suit to tell their stories. By hearing their stories, a generation can be equipped to learn not to make the same mistakes as their past. Much like God's word, which tells us numerous stories about people's lives and proving that God that he will seek the good in any situation. Now to this topic of the Holocaust, what good comes from the death of millions and brutality, that altogether seems senseless? I'm not going to even try to explain or make sense of the Holocaust. It shouldn't have happened. However, I do know we have not grasped what this huge moment in time proves to our generation. Listen, the Holocaust happened less than 100 years ago... less than 70 years, in fact! How can we not continue to seek after any knowledge or wisdom that can come from hatred shown, such as in the case of the Holocaust?
We see the world around us, and we again are starting to say who is deemed worthy of life, just as Hitler and others did in Germany. Think about it! We say abortion is right because it can be emotionally draining on any woman who is not ready for a child. Yet what about the people in our lives who need extra care, affection, and patience because they have disabilities? Does that not take a toll on us emotionally or physically? Yet would you be willing to kill a person with Down's Syndrome or someone who was deaf because they couldn't be a good listener to you? Of course not, but you bare their burdens, and in the end you learn love is beautiful when it comes unconditionally. Or what about those who want to end all religion? Do those you know who are Muslim plan to bomb a building? Or Christians who are ready to yell at gay people in the streets? Possibly on the latter idea, but hasn't experience shown that all of us are individuals, and therefore our "set of beliefs" we call religion does not merit us to kill a person or to hate a person. It is whatever is in us that will show. For Christians, the holy spirit should prompt us to do what is right and to convict us before we do what is wrong. What is it that manifests itself into hatred in a person? It is not a religion. It is what is naturally found in a person's heart.
As Christian, I know this-- we are to love and serve God. That is all. Every ounce of God's love shown to us should penetrate our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. One thing I find sad is we struggle with that concept, because the evidence shows if we didn't struggle in loving God in all those areas in our lives, all of our time, gifts, abilities, and thoughts would be towards God, the Creator, and what he has for humanity.
This idea I am getting at about the Holocaust is hatred stirs up strife (Proverbs 10:12). Where was the root of all of the hatred throughout Germany for the Jews, gays, Christians, gypsies, and people of a different race? It was rooted in the hearts of man. There was nothing inside a person who was full of love and tolerance that said, "Let's get rid of these people." No, it was the evil found in the hearts of man. Those hearts that are in each one of us. Each of us is capable of what happened in Germany. Each one of us is capable of hating another person or believing someone is not deemed worthy of life. And each one of us does it because we do not have love naturally in our hearts that overlooks faults, sins, and is capable of trying to redeem or care for those who may not do what is right.
I want to clarify I do not think any less of those of any race, religion, or other beliefs. In fact, I think the most interesting and some profound conversations I have had are with those of a different belief. It doesn't mean they have changed my mind, but they do help me better understand what I believe. For one thing, God is truth, so truth found in any conversation is of God (that is anything that matches up to what the Bible teaches). For me, understanding what I believe humbles me to remember where I come from and who I am in the sight of a holy God.
The Holocaust is an illustration of hatred. The climax of a human heart grown cold over the years. One that was not taught to give or be kind, but to seek after its own motives and glory. Hitler did not see his victims as victims. He saw them as inferior. He was human, they were not. Even the dogs in the concentration camps were better fed than the victims. Why after so many years do we want to get rid of those who are different? It may not be in the form that the Holocaust took place, but we are bitter, hate, or want those different to be treated different. What it all comes down to is an issue of not looking to God for answers. To seek God for answers, we know what is right and what is wrong. We can correct what is wrong, but if it refuses to change, we have no other choice, but to let God be God; not us humans playing god. This is the scary thing about Hitler. He believed he was a god. He wanted people to worship him. To bow down to him. Pray to him. Read a book that was about him, or written by him. He was placing himself to be glorified. And if you see the people in the footage who worshiped him, you see admiration, appreciation, devotion, surrender, and generosity to that cruel man. How sad is it that humanity can be swept away by one man's intentions. Maybe because it was already in man's heart. Maybe because just as Hitler was full of hate in his heart, so were his followers. So I want ask, how do we not get swept away like these people did? I think the one person we can look up to to make sure we are doing what is right is God. When all of the words that any man can tell you and all of the biases are not there in your mind, what can God be telling you through his word? Who to vote for this coming election? Who to trust as a leader to lead this country right. Or even who should be your pastor. You friend. Your spouse. Who will influence you for the good in this world? Teach you to love, not hate. What we need to do is not follow our hearts, but to first seek God and be filled by him. Doing so, we are on the right track of loving others, avoiding the issues that hatred breeds. Avoiding the strife found in Nazi Germany.
Truths To Hold Onto
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~ Matthew 6:33
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." ~ 1 John 4:8
"Do not be deceived, 'bad company corrupts good morals." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:33
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4
"He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love
your neighbor as yourself.'" ~ Luke 10:27
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