Current headlines run red with Christian blood.
As I write, two groups of Ethiopians have been slaughtered by ISIS murderers in different parts of Libya. This follows a mass execution of 21 Christians in Libya earlier this year. Add to that the deaths, mostly Christian, during the attack on the college in Kenya, and the Christians thrown overboard from the migrant boat sailing from Libya to Malta in this month alone. That is all in addition to the deaths of Christians this year in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and other places where persecution is endemic but with less publicity and fewer killed at one time.
To be sure, Christians are not the only people being persecuted. Yazidis in Iraq and Rohingya Muslims in Burma are examples of others who suffer for their religious beliefs. Certainly Jews have suffered grievously within living memory, and face the prospect of renewed persecution in Europe. But Christians are proportionately the most frequent targets.
For the moment those of us who live in the United States and Canada remain relatively safe. For this we do thank God, but is that enough? What responsibility do we as members of the Body of Christ have toward those who suffer not merely ostracism or scorn but actual violence, up to and including death?
- Certainly we can and should pray for the survivors, and also pray for the salvation and transformation of murderers, remembering that the Apostle Paul was once a principal in the second degree in the murder of Stephen, the first martyr.
- We also can join the prayers of the martyrs (Revelation 6:10-11) for the Lord Jesus to return to earth to render justice to those murderers who will not repent.
- We can advocate on behalf of the persecuted Church; contacting our members of Congress and petitioning them to use their great influence.
- We can tell those around us about the terrible reality of modern-day persecution.
But for some of us that may not be enough to fully meet our responsibility. Oppressed Christians have immediate needs.
Christian Freedom International makes its priority to ease the plight of our fellow members of the Body of Christ. We help churches to get a few minutes of advance warning of mob violence with security cameras. We assist Christians to find and move to places where they can live without the risk of death around every corner. We give financial assistance to the families of martyrs who remain behind on earth when loved ones are sent to heaven by murder. We help arrange for food and basic medical supplies to those who cannot obtain them, with emphasis on helping Believers, but also helping impoverished non-believers in their communities in the name of Jesus Christ. To do our part, we ask that you do your part as the Holy Spirit leads, in contributing to the work of Christian Freedom International. May God bless you and keep you.