Christians Killed in Turkey
This story about evangelical Christians in Turkey being murdered for their faith in Christ reminded me again that the price of following Jesus is much higher in many parts of the globe than it is here for me. Yes, there’s plenty of high-voltage bickering in Western culture about Christian beliefs being “dangerous” or Christians being stupid, but very few of us are being beaten or killed simply for who and how we worship.
Historically and globally, it’s not uncommon for Christians to become targets. Spend a few minutes at sites like Voice of the Martyrs or flipping through dc Talk’s book Jesus Freaks: Martyrs, and you’ll see that it’s happening right now in many parts of the world.
What can we do about it?
1) Thank God. Throughout history, He has used the persecution of Christians to grow the church deeper and wider. Peter was talking to persecuted Christians when he said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) People don’t get it when Christians under the gun still live with hope and joy, so they investigate to see what these “crazy Christians” have that they don’t. And the truth spreads.
2) Pray for them like family. Because they are our family. Pray for courage and comfort and relief. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Here’s a site with a few good ideas about how to pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
3) Be challenged. In many places hostile to Christ, it would be easy to avoid persecution by simply having nothing to do with Him. Christians in Sudan and and parts of China suffer because they refuse to walk away from Jesus. Instead they take up their crosses and follow Him at the risk of great pain and suffering. We would be willing to endure that? Are we even willing to be called “dangerous” and “stupid” for our beliefs?
Does your church and/or youth group ever talk about the issue of Christian persecution? Are you doing anything to try to help?
Historically and globally, it’s not uncommon for Christians to become targets. Spend a few minutes at sites like Voice of the Martyrs or flipping through dc Talk’s book Jesus Freaks: Martyrs, and you’ll see that it’s happening right now in many parts of the world.
What can we do about it?
1) Thank God. Throughout history, He has used the persecution of Christians to grow the church deeper and wider. Peter was talking to persecuted Christians when he said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) People don’t get it when Christians under the gun still live with hope and joy, so they investigate to see what these “crazy Christians” have that they don’t. And the truth spreads.
2) Pray for them like family. Because they are our family. Pray for courage and comfort and relief. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Here’s a site with a few good ideas about how to pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
3) Be challenged. In many places hostile to Christ, it would be easy to avoid persecution by simply having nothing to do with Him. Christians in Sudan and and parts of China suffer because they refuse to walk away from Jesus. Instead they take up their crosses and follow Him at the risk of great pain and suffering. We would be willing to endure that? Are we even willing to be called “dangerous” and “stupid” for our beliefs?
Does your church and/or youth group ever talk about the issue of Christian persecution? Are you doing anything to try to help?
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