How Important?
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis
As I write this an American has been sentenced to hard labour in North Korea. One of the charges was he was trying to “subvert North Korean society with religion”. A similar thing happened to a Canadian pastor who had visited North Korea openly numerous times and was bringing aid to the country.
North Korea say’s there is no God yet they fear that these Christian pastors will subvert their society? Could it be that the government of North Korea believes there just might be a God and fears Him?
Other countries fear Christianity also. Christianity is considered the most persecuted faith in the world today.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year, while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on record as declaring that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
According to a report in Reuters news the top ten countries in which Christianity is persecuted in are, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea.
Still despite all of this Christians every day present their message. A message that simply calls mankind to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Christianity is a faith based on Love. Love of God for His creation and individual. Christians are called to love God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
Jesus making it clear when he said
“... ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus also reminding His followers,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43,44
The apostle Paul telling Christians
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18-21.
As I said Christianity is a faith based on Love.
And just as importantly Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18
This is why we as Christians continue despite the persecution to take our message to the world.
We truly believe that the decision to accept Jesus as ones Lord and Saviour is the most important thing anyone can do. It is a guarantee of eternal life with God.
Sadly in many parts of the world we Christians do this at our peril.
So to the Christian in the west not facing persecution I would ask to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. For strength and that eventually the persecution they face will end. Pray also for all groups who are persecuted even though they are not Christian because no one deserves to be persecuted.
To all people irrespective of their faith I would ask you to tell your congressman, president, your member of parliament, your prime minister about not only persecuted Christians but about other persecuted groups.
Ask them to bring up the persecution of Christians and other groups with officials of countries that oppress and imprison anyone.
Please think about doing it today.
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis
As I write this an American has been sentenced to hard labour in North Korea. One of the charges was he was trying to “subvert North Korean society with religion”. A similar thing happened to a Canadian pastor who had visited North Korea openly numerous times and was bringing aid to the country.
North Korea say’s there is no God yet they fear that these Christian pastors will subvert their society? Could it be that the government of North Korea believes there just might be a God and fears Him?
Other countries fear Christianity also. Christianity is considered the most persecuted faith in the world today.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year, while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on record as declaring that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
According to a report in Reuters news the top ten countries in which Christianity is persecuted in are, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea.
Still despite all of this Christians every day present their message. A message that simply calls mankind to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Christianity is a faith based on Love. Love of God for His creation and individual. Christians are called to love God, their neighbour and even their enemy.
Jesus making it clear when he said
“... ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus also reminding His followers,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43,44
The apostle Paul telling Christians
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18-21.
As I said Christianity is a faith based on Love.
And just as importantly Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18
This is why we as Christians continue despite the persecution to take our message to the world.
We truly believe that the decision to accept Jesus as ones Lord and Saviour is the most important thing anyone can do. It is a guarantee of eternal life with God.
Sadly in many parts of the world we Christians do this at our peril.
So to the Christian in the west not facing persecution I would ask to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. For strength and that eventually the persecution they face will end. Pray also for all groups who are persecuted even though they are not Christian because no one deserves to be persecuted.
To all people irrespective of their faith I would ask you to tell your congressman, president, your member of parliament, your prime minister about not only persecuted Christians but about other persecuted groups.
Ask them to bring up the persecution of Christians and other groups with officials of countries that oppress and imprison anyone.
Please think about doing it today.
No comments:
Post a Comment