Christianity is under attack as violence sweeps across the nation of Egypt, the Washington Times reported recently. Over eighty churches have been damaged already by Muslim extremists.
Violence directed toward Christians is nothing new as I showed in my last post about the massacre of ninety-six “praying Indians” at Gnadenhutten, Ohio in 1781. We’ve long heard of persecution of Christians in places like China, India and in the Muslim world. While reports like this horrify me, most of the time there is a disconnect in my brain. It would never happen to me – right?
While the violence occurring in Egypt and Syria is sobering enough, the reports of attacks on Christians strikes a closer blow for my husband and me. We are friends with a prominent church leader in Egypt and we have heard nothing yet about his safety.
This isn’t merely a random burning of church buildings either. Attackers are systematically going through towns, painting red X’s on Muslim homes and businesses and black X’s on Christian homes, churches, and businesses.
While I was sitting in the comfort of my own church, I forced my heart to engage with the news. What if this was happening in my own country? Several corollary questions came to my mind.
First, aside from the fact that I am a pastor’s wife, have I lived my life in such a way that the opposition would know I was a Christian?
If they did choose to paint that black X on the side of my home, how would I react?
Would I run and hide?Would I sneak out in the middle of the night and whitewash my wall – or even consider the possibility?
Would I strike back at my accusers – suing them, seeking vengeance, crying foul? Would I be afraid – or would I be at peace, trusting in the One who is more powerful than him who wields a paintbrush?
Would I be ashamed of that black X – or would I bear it proudly?
Mark 8:34 says,
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.”
I can’t hardly carry a cross without someone noticing. Would I be willing to bear the cross painted on the side of my house – or on the center of my life?
We often speak of the benefits of the Christian faith – peace, joy, hope, eternal life. But is it worth this? Is it worth being publically marked? Is it worth the fear of losing one’s life and property? The fear of disgrace and social rejection? As another friend, who lives and serves in a country I cannot mention because he is in great danger, says, “Yes. It’s worth it.”
As Jim Elliot, a missionary to Ecquador, said before he was speared to death by the people he tried to save, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
What about you? If you were in Egypt, what would you do?
But I’m not in Egypt. I’m here. Christian persecution doesn’t happen here.
Or does it? Maybe not like that. But it still happens.
When it does threaten, will I wear the name of Christ proudly? Will I bear the cross with joy? Is it worth it to me? How much is it worth it?
2 Timothy 3:12 says,
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
What would I – and you – be truly willing to give up to bear the mark of Christ on our lives?
A great post, Karen.
While Americans here haven’t endured the intense, and often fatal, persecution that so many others have and are experiencing, many Americans are subject to subtle forms of persecution.
Political correctness, and what becomes almost a mandate for tolerance, can rob us of our God, and constitutionally, given rights. Christians can be accused of hate crimes and discrimination by holding to Biblical precepts. Businesses are being sued and forced to close. Vital growing churches can be robed of their property because they separate from a denomination that has abandoned fidelity to the Word of God. The purpose of the military was to defend the Nation, and to protect our vital national interests, yet it has become be a petri dish for social engineering, thus weakening its primary function. Whew! Please excuse my passionate response.
Thanks for sharing your passion, Janet. Because the persecution is more subtle in America, it can so easily catch us off guard. As the Bible tells us, we need to be on our guard, watch, and stand firm whether we face outright persecution, oppression or other ways to utter all kinds of evil against us because of Jesus (Mt 5:11). And we need to keep praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are directly suffering for the sake of the Gospel.