Dangerous Times

Recent news stories can remind us of the concept of people being denigrated and perhaps even losing their lives for their deeply held beliefs. Jesus even taught that those who would choose to follow Him, in some cases, would find their lives in danger. Religious persecution is a fact of life in our world today, but we know that we can find strength and courage in the Lord. Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 5:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The news out of Boulder, Colorado over the weekend is heartbreaking, and is indicative of the hatred of those who profess a faith in God.  In this case, as CBN.com reports:

A man shouting "Free Palestine" threw an incendiary device Sunday into a crowd of people on a pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado, burning at least eight people who were walking to raise awareness for the plight of the Israeli hostages in Gaza. The F.B.I. says it's investigating the incident as a terror attack.

One bureau official called it a "targeted terror attack," although the Boulder police chief was initially reluctant to call it terrorism.

A 45-year-old man described as an "Egyptian national" was arrested.  A spokesman for the Trump Administration said that the man was in the country illegally after exceeding the provided time for his visa. The article goes on to say:

CBS News reported that the walking group said in a statement, "This is not a protest; it is a peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families, and a plea for their release."

The attack comes just two weeks after another man acting in the name of Palestinians reportedly admitted to the shooting deaths of two young staffers from the Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum.

These acts of violence against people apparently because of their faith are common and they are evil. Violence against Jewish people has become tolerated in our country and reflects a hatred against people because of their faith practice.  

We don't see it as much in America, but Christians around the world find themselves with a target on their backs.  I was troubled by the report of an evangelist in the nation of Uganda, not far from where Daniel Okabe and his family have done ministry through Impact Ministries in Mbale and their radio station, which is also called Faith Radio, a ministry that we certainly endorse, even though they are not affiliated with us.  

A Morning Star News story published at The Christian Post in early May related:

Islamists killed an evangelist after he led several Muslims to faith in Christ at an open-air event in eastern Uganda last month, sources said.

David Washume of Manga cell, Mungoma Ward, Nabumali town council in Mbale District was stabbed to death on April 3 as he made his way back from three days of preaching in the Nalondo, Buwalasi and Nabumali areas, area sources said.

The article said:

With fellow evangelist Fred Wepuhulu, Washume incorporated quranic verses and biblical references in his preaching, emphasizing the divinity of Christ and the humanity of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, said one of those attending the event. Washume spoke in the town of Nabumali on the third day of their campaign.

The report continued:

Washume and Wepuhulu were returning home to their area of Nabumali the night of April 3 when they were attacked at about 10 p.m., Wepuhulu said.

“As we were nearing our village, we met three masked men dressed in Muslim attire, with knives, while speaking the Arabic language,” Wepuhulu told Morning Star News. “They stopped us and told us to surrender our bags.”

The assailants found Bibles and a Quran in Washume’s bag, he said.

They shouted to kill the two men - Wepuhulu managed to escape, but Washume did not. The story says:

Moses Kutosi, chairperson of local council 3 of the Nabumali Town Council, said he received a phone call at 6 a.m. the next day informing him of a dead body in a pool of blood near a Bible college chapel in Nabumali.

Washume was a resident of Mbale and his body was taken there following the attack. A relative said: “The knife which the assailants used to kill him was found at the scene of crime, including a written note saying, ‘You, infidel, will meet Allah in judgment,’ and other Arabic words which could not be understood..."

Even though there are Muslims who are peaceful, so called, "moderate" Muslims, there is an element that is committed to carrying out the teaching of jihad, that involves attacking and perhaps even killing those who belong to other faiths.  Let it be said that Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God, and as the light of truth is being shone, we hear stories from throughout the Muslim world that people are coming to Christ.  

When we hear stories about people losing their lives because of their faith, we can be encouraged to pray for and find ways to stand with the persecuted.  The United States has reflected a commitment to the cause of religious freedom around the world, and we should certainly speak up for the right of others to practice their faith.  And, we can do that while also recognizing our directive by Jesus to share the love of Christ and the truth of Scripture, because we acknowledge that Jesus is the only way into a relationship with God.  

We should be so forthright and passionate about our faith and so intent on loving others that we do not keep our faith to ourselves.  We don't have to be intimidated by those who would reject God and even those who would place our lives in danger - that is not so prevalent in America, but we do face that hostility from those who don't know Him.  Our mission is to keep loving God, loving others, and demonstrating His truth to a world that needs to know Him.