Forces At Play

In Acts chapter 14, we see that Paul and Barnabas were in the city of Lystra, which is located in
modern-day Turkey. They were treated as divinity, but there was trouble afoot. We pick up in verse 19:
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

Paul and Barnabas were travelling in this region of Asia Minor, now part of Turkey, and they faced opposition - but they were dedicated to "strengthening the souls of the disciples," as verse 22 suggests.  They understood suffering, but they also saw it as a necessary part of the Christian journey. For us, there will be times when things don't go our way, when we encounter difficulty, when we are prone to discouragement.  But, we can know that God is with us, working in our hearts, giving us strength, bringing honor to His name.

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We are in the midst of an epic struggle between the teachings of the Bible and other philosophies,
even religious ones. The apostle Paul brings these words of strength in 1st Peter chapter 5:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

There is an American pastor currently being held in the nation of Turkey, and he may be caught in a situation of political gamesmanship, as well as a crackdown on Christians in that nation, which underwent a coup attempt last year.

According to PJMedia.com:

After having served in Turkey as a missionary for twenty-three years, North Carolina native Andrew Brunson was arrested in October and charged with being a member of an armed terrorist organization. Now the Turkish prime minister is hinting that the American pastor is being used as a political pawn in Turkey's bid to get Fethullah Gulen extradited from the U.S.

Since Turkey's failed military coup, Christians and other religious minorities have increasingly become the targets of detention and deportation, and are unreasonably subjected to other governmental regulation simply because of their faith.

USA Today reported on a statement by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim: "When asked about Brunson, Yildirim expressed frustration that the United States has not extradited to Turkey exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by the government here of orchestrating the coup attempt. Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, has denied any involvement in the uprising."  The Prime Minister stated that, "What we can do at this stage is accelerate the trial" and "As you will appreciate, judiciary matters are not directly controlled by us.”

The American Center for Law and Justice represents Pastor Andrew, and went before the United Nations late last week.   On its website, the ACLJ posted:

We’re aggressively advocating at the U.N., on Capitol Hill, and with world leaders in a vigorous effort to secure Pastor Andrew’s safe return to his family in the United States. Through our efforts, Members of Congress have recently sent a bicameral letter to President Erdoğan of Turkey requesting that Pastor Andrew be immediately and safely returned back to the United States. In addition, we sent a letter to Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, urging the Trump Administration to pressure Turkey – our NATO ally – to do the right thing and release Pastor Andrew.

Pastor Andrew, who has faithfully served the people of Turkey for 23 years, is being held without any evidence against him being presented. Our continued advocacy for Pastor Andrew, both nationally and internationally, is extremely important in our effort to secure his release.

And, do not doubt the elements of Islam at play here.  PJ Media states:

While supposedly a secular country, Turkey is becoming increasingly dominated by the Islamic agenda of the ruling Justice and Development Party, referred to as AKP. The arrest of Brunson is just another action in an increasingly long line of pro-Muslim and anti-West actions taken by the Turkish government.

There are indications that President Erdogan would like to see Sharia law implemented in Turkey, and Jimmy DeYoung has highlighted Erdogan's desire to be a "pan-Islamic" leader.

It is recognized that the city of Tarsus, birthplace of Paul, is located in the region of what is now Turkey.  In fact, the Middle East and southern Europe and Asia are what could be considered the birthplace of Christianity.  It is unfortunate that many of these areas are now under the control of a religion and religious system that lends itself to a hostility toward Christianity.

We see the forces at play across our world.  The tenets of traditional Christianity are being challenged left and right - in one sense, by the radical elements of Islam; in another, by those who reject God from the standpoint of a corrupted view of Scripture or no faith at all.  But, we can be confident in the Lord, Who will strengthen His people.  Turkey is a representative of nations who have "cracked down" on the practice of the Christian faith.  Russia is another one, with a law put into place to limit evangelistic activity, presumably to curb terrorism.

We are reminded about the persecution of Christians in our world today, but we can also be mindful of how God uses trials to strengthen His people.  There is great growth of Christianity in the midst of people who are trying to snuff it out - in China, as well as under the Islamic governments of the Middle East.

It seems that the drumbeats are advancing - persecution of the Church across the world, and a lack of respect for Christian pastors.  There are numerous instances of pastors who have been jailed around the world and are currently awaiting trial in nations that are hostile toward Christianity.  Yet, the cause of Christ is continuing to advance, and we know the ultimate outcome.  And, we do well to show proper respect to our pastors, also - we don't want to be known as people who are making the task of our pastors harder...so we can be encouraged to be affirming and appreciative.