3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also.
This speaks powerfully to how we are all connected in the body of Christ. We can be challenged to remember and stand with those who are imprisoned and/or brutalized for their faith in Christ. Believers who face persecution may even stand alone in their chastisement. We can pray that they will know the presence and comfort of the Holy Spirit, the One who sustains us in all our troubles - and we can be cognizant that many are suffering in His name.
The Bible offers clear instruction and encouragement for those who are facing opposition or persecution in their lives. 1st Peter 4 states:
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Almost two months ago in the nation of Nigeria, members of the terror group Boko Haram, according to ChristianHeadlines.com, "...invaded a girl’s boarding school in northeastern Nigeria and kidnapped 110 girls. After making a deal with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the militant group released at least 105 schoolgirls and 1 boy Wednesday, March 21. The one girl who was not released is a 15-year-old Christian who refused to convert to Islam."
One girl, Leah Sharibu, was not released because of her Christian faith. Astounding! The story says that:
The ICC website published a report from World Watch Monitor that Leah "reportedly asked her released friends to pass her mother a message, which read:
The Stream article related several steps in response: to pray, to raise awareness, and to contact the Nigerian embassy.
I want to call your attention to several principles. First of all, we can recognize that the expression of our faith may result in us standing alone. When we face opposition, we can continue to stand on our faith and recognize that God is our defender. The Bible promises that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say when we are brought before authorities. Even in times of persecution, Christians can rejoice in the presence of Jesus.
We can also be challenged to think that we are called to stand with those who are being persecuted for their faith. Fellow Christians are facing brutal acts committed against them, and we are called to intercede for them. When we feel helpless when family members or friends are facing trouble, we can continue to pray - fervently. We serve a God of matchless and mighty power, and at times He will deliver, or perhaps there will be a higher purpose that is served by persecution or opposition - the trying of our faith, according to James, produces perseverance. May His perfect work be accomplished in all of our lives.
+++++
The Bible offers clear instruction and encouragement for those who are facing opposition or persecution in their lives. 1st Peter 4 states:
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Almost two months ago in the nation of Nigeria, members of the terror group Boko Haram, according to ChristianHeadlines.com, "...invaded a girl’s boarding school in northeastern Nigeria and kidnapped 110 girls. After making a deal with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the militant group released at least 105 schoolgirls and 1 boy Wednesday, March 21. The one girl who was not released is a 15-year-old Christian who refused to convert to Islam."
One girl, Leah Sharibu, was not released because of her Christian faith. Astounding! The story says that:
ABC News reported, “One of the freed schoolgirls, Fatsuma Abdullahi, said five of her classmates at the Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi died while the kidnappers herded them into vehicles.”The Christian Headlines story included a statement from Leah's father, Nata:
"Boko Haram insurgents decided not to release my daughter because she refused to denounce Christ,” Sharibu told reporters today. “I am happy for that, even though as a father I wish she had returned home as the rest. But God is in control,” ABC News reported.At The Stream website, Liberty McArtor wrote:
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) declared Good Friday a day for Nigerian Christians to pray for Leah’s release, Nigerian news outlet Daily Post reported Wednesday.
“CAN is also reminding the Federal Government and the security agencies of the need to free Leah and other captives from the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists,” CAN president Samson Olasupo Ayokunle said.She also stated:
Nathan Johnson, International Christian Concern’s (ICC) Regional Manager for Africa, spoke with The Stream via email about Leah last week. “Leah will likely undergo harsh treatment in captivity,” he said.
In recent years ICC has petitioned the Nigerian government for the release of the Chibok girls, who were captured by Boko Haram in 2014. Many were eventually released, but several remain in captivity.
“We have seen Boko Haram sexually abuse girls, use them as slaves, and sell them to supporters and followers,” he told The Stream.The president of that organization, Jeff King, echoed similar sentiments.
The ICC website published a report from World Watch Monitor that Leah "reportedly asked her released friends to pass her mother a message, which read:
'My mother you should not be disturbed. I know it is not easy missing me, but I want to assure you that I am fine where I am… I am confident that one day I shall see your face again. If not here, then there at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.'"The story also says: "One of Leah’s friends told the Sharibu family some details about Leah’s attempted escape, which ended with her being sent back to the Boko Haram camp by the people whom she had approached for help." According to representatives of Open Doors, Leah's mother fainted upon reading the letter and "reportedly found it traumatic to hear the stories of some of the abducted girls."
The Stream article related several steps in response: to pray, to raise awareness, and to contact the Nigerian embassy.
I want to call your attention to several principles. First of all, we can recognize that the expression of our faith may result in us standing alone. When we face opposition, we can continue to stand on our faith and recognize that God is our defender. The Bible promises that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say when we are brought before authorities. Even in times of persecution, Christians can rejoice in the presence of Jesus.
We can also be challenged to think that we are called to stand with those who are being persecuted for their faith. Fellow Christians are facing brutal acts committed against them, and we are called to intercede for them. When we feel helpless when family members or friends are facing trouble, we can continue to pray - fervently. We serve a God of matchless and mighty power, and at times He will deliver, or perhaps there will be a higher purpose that is served by persecution or opposition - the trying of our faith, according to James, produces perseverance. May His perfect work be accomplished in all of our lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment