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Some in the United States judge our nation's success by such measures as gross national product, military might, and global dominance. The kingdom of God measures such things as care for the downtrodden and love for enemies. We must not forget that Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 presents a judgment of the nations. In that final reckoning, God judges us by how we treat the poor, the sick, the hungry, the alien, and the prisoner.

Even as the U.S. government pursues the war against terrorism, perhaps we Christians should launch our own private war—not against terrorists, but against their breeding ground. We can increase giving to organizations like Prison Fellowship International and the International Justice Mission, which act out globally the lessons of Matthew 25; to World Vision and the Salvation Army, which show "Western values" in a different light; and to International Students Inc., which works to link international students with American Christian hosts. How differently would the world view us if it associated the U.S. with Jesus rather than Baywatch?

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Philip Yancey's previous reflections on September 11 include:

I Was Just Wondering … Twenty questions that nag me after September 11. (Feb. 18, 2002)

Where Was God on 9/11?Reflections from Ground Zero and beyond. (October 23, 2001)

Letter from a Muslim SeekerChristians aren't the only ones asking 'Why?' after September's tragedy. (December 5, 2001)

Previous Yancey columns for Christianity Today include:

Honest Church MarketingWe enhance our 'image' by offering the world a realistic picture of faith. (October 24, 2001)

Compassion ConfusionWe should serve the needy even when it has bad political consequences. (August 28, 2001)

Fixing Our Weakest LinkEvangelicals should be more "needful of the minds of others." (July 13, 2001)

Replenishing the Inner PastorChurches should take greater interest in their shepherds' spiritual health. (May 14, 2001)

Beyond Flesh and BloodI used to disdain biblical talk of "invisible spirits." No more. (Mar. 27, 2001)

God at LargeA look around the globe reveals a God as big as we want him to be. (Jan. 31, 2001)

Humility's Many FacesEveryone I've looked up to has shared one trait. (Dec. 4, 2000)

Getting a LifeThe most fully alive persons are those who give their lives away. (Oct. 16, 2000)

Yancey's Where is God When it Hurts, Special Edition and Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church are available on Christianbook.com

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April 1 2002, Vol. 46, No. 4