Faithful Workers For a French Harvest

The verses that open up the 3rd chapter of 2nd Thessalonians can really create a sense of excitement about the spread of the gospel, even in the midst of hostility:
1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.3But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
Picture the word of the Lord running swiftly. Think about that. The Word of God going forth in power, that His name would be glorified and His message of love for humanity spread throughout the world, even when it encounters "unreasonable and wicked men." Sounds a little, actually a lot, like the world today - there are forces that would want to stuff out the flames of the gospel, but we can fan those flames, I believe, through prayer.  We can pray for the protection of those who are sent throughout the world to proclaim the message of Christ, and pray that we would be faithful vessels who can effectively transmit God's truth.

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In Ephesians 6, after Paul describes the "full armor of God," you get a glimpse into how that armor can prepare us for prayer:
18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--19and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

In the aftermath of the deadly attacks in France last week, it gives an opportunity to examine more closely the spiritual climate in that European nation.

A Baptist Press article released the day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo indicated a concern by workers with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention that the event would not lead to a greater divide between the secular and the religious.

Tara Cheney, who works with IMB and lives in France, is quoted as saying, "The journalists who lost their lives have now become martyrs for the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech.  She added, "We are praying that the outcry against these heinous acts committed by religious extremists will not become outcries against anyone who claims to have any sort of religious belief."

According to Mark Stone, a church planter in Southern France, the polarization of French politics can be traced almost entirely to immigration issues and racial and religious fear.

He said, "There exists today a delicate tension in France that teeters toward breaking.  He said that Wednesday's tragic events "will likely serve to further stir up the tension."

Chaney said, "Right now, we are praying that the people of France will turn toward God and not away from Him." Stone noted, "France needs to mourn. France needs healing. France needs compassion. France needs Christ."

A report on the Baptist Press website released yesterday opens by saying:

Christian workers in Paris expressed surprise that a number of native Parisians are appearing more receptive to the Gospel following last week's terrorist tragedy.

A Christian worker in Paris said that, "We can sense a sort of stirring in the waters," noting more interest in spiritual discussions among French locals.

The article points out that France is known among many Christians for being a secular state that doesn't care much for religion of any kind. Charlie Hebdo is an example of that secularism, using paper and ink to mock, scrutinize and defame anything considered sacred. With French leaders voicing strong support for Charlie Hebdo -- and its latest issue quickly selling out -- many believers in France have been left uncertain of their own footing.

The Christian worker said, "They have felt the rejection of religion by their culture -- this is of course not a new phenomenon, but only strengthened throughout the recent events," adding, "They fear being viewed as an extremist due to their beliefs, which include attending church regularly and speaking openly about their faith."

However, the workers are given hope because the Parisians who stopped to discuss spiritual matters with Christian workers and receive a Bible during an outreach effort this week were young adults.
There are also opportunities to share Jesus with Muslim people in the nation.  You see, mosques have been attacked or vandalized in many areas of France and across Europe in the past week, bringing fear and uncertainty to the Muslim communities.  Local Muslims are contending that the terrorists did not represent true Islam, which they describe as a religion of peace. Workers say this has led to new opportunities to share more about Jesus among their Muslim friends.

Christian workers in Paris ask for prayer as they continue to share Christ. Pray for peace in the city. Pray for open hearts among the French and Muslim communities.

The International Mission Board has a "Pray for France Challenge" on its website, in which people are challenged to spend a week praying for that nation, concentrating on a different part of the country each day.

These circumstances can provide some reminders for us:

For one thing, we are living in a dangerous world, with new threats and challenges to spreading the gospel.  And, as Joel Rosenberg pointed out yesterday as he discussed his new novel, The Third Target, we can be people of prayer, as well as compassionate action, in the light of danger.  When we read disturbing headlines, we can be propelled to be more intent on calling upon God to make Himself known, to be glorified, in the midst of trouble.

And, keep in mind, this satirical publication in France trades, in part, in the mockery of faith,  I would hope that those taking to the streets to decry the taking of life by extremists are not endorsing the denigration of faith perspectives.  I think that as Christians, we have to make sure that our stance is devoted to respecting all people, and not adopting an attitude of mocking those with whom we don't agree.  As Andrew Walker of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention writes:

Christian decency is the option before us. Yes, we should defend the right of free speech as a necessary condition for religious liberty. Let me be very clear: Charlie Hebdo has every right to reprint an image of Muhammed. Democracy, self-rule, and liberty come loaded with risk. And Westerners and Christians should defend that right and embrace such risk. But the liberty to do so doesn’t speak to the wisdom of doing so.

So, we defend free speech while continuing to embrace the freely distributed compassion of Christ toward all, even to or especially to those with whom we disagree.