Christianity: Are You Really Willing to Die for Yours ?
Several questions have been on my heart lately as reports on the news and internet articles tell of how many Christians in Iraq and Iran are being forced to flee their homes to escape the persecution of the militant group ISIS ( the Islamic State or Iraq and Syria) .
In one article a Christian who fled from his home tells a CBN reporter "They gave us four choices,...Either convert to Islam or paying tax [jizya, the Islamic tax on non-Muslims] or leaving the city or the sword."
Can you imagine being given this ultimatum? Because I can't. Its unfathomable and outrageous... but I live in America and have grown up safely; free to attend Church with no thought of anything bad coming from it, therefore; I have taken my Christianity and belief in Jesus Christ for granted, as I'm sure many of you also have. I've felt a sort of detachment or a difficulty to relate, as if I'm merely a spectator or viewer to the atrocities faced by my Culture of fellow Christians... But this this is not a movie that we American Bible Belt living Christians are watching! This is happening right now! In my life time. And in your life time. THIS IS REAL !
I'm a thinker, and since these events several questions have been weighing on me heavy. Most of my teachers in school said that if you have a question you should ask it, chances are there are more people who have the same question but are just afraid to ask. So I ask these questions (and give my answers) betting at least one other person who reads this has the same questions.
In one article a Christian who fled from his home tells a CBN reporter "They gave us four choices,...Either convert to Islam or paying tax [jizya, the Islamic tax on non-Muslims] or leaving the city or the sword."
Can you imagine being given this ultimatum? Because I can't. Its unfathomable and outrageous... but I live in America and have grown up safely; free to attend Church with no thought of anything bad coming from it, therefore; I have taken my Christianity and belief in Jesus Christ for granted, as I'm sure many of you also have. I've felt a sort of detachment or a difficulty to relate, as if I'm merely a spectator or viewer to the atrocities faced by my Culture of fellow Christians... But this this is not a movie that we American Bible Belt living Christians are watching! This is happening right now! In my life time. And in your life time. THIS IS REAL !
I'm a thinker, and since these events several questions have been weighing on me heavy. Most of my teachers in school said that if you have a question you should ask it, chances are there are more people who have the same question but are just afraid to ask. So I ask these questions (and give my answers) betting at least one other person who reads this has the same questions.
1. How does it make you feel that Christians are being killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ ?
This makes me feel terrible, I don't think words are an adequate medium to express these feelings. It starts and I am dumb founded and sad, as I begin to comprehend what is happening my sadness turns into a burning rage which boils from deep inside of me. This feeling grows leaving a hot lump in my throat and I want to scream but can find the words to shout. My teeth clench in angry disbelief, yet I Surprisingly feel no hate toward the group responsible for these heinous acts. What I do hate is the fact that these acts are even capable of being committed. Not only because they are being committed against Christians, who regardless of ethnicity or country of origin, I consider a part of my culture, but, because these acts are being committed without regard for the most basic form of culture there is. The one every single person in this world belongs to; The Culture of People. Simple by being a human being you have at least one thing in common with every single person on this earth. We are all Human.
2. How does one human do this to another human ?
I have no explanation...
3. Are you Willing to die for your (Christianity) faith in Jesus Christ ?
You see, I want to say yes. To shout it from the roof top "Yes God 1,000 times Yes "!!! But if I'm completely honest I don't think I or anyone can really answer this unless they are put in the position where this decision becomes a reality and not just a thought. If someone had a gun to my head, and asked me if I was a christian with the intent to pull the trigger if my answer was yes, I feel like I would say yes, proudly, boldly and confidently but Feelings and actually saying yes are two different forms of truth. Just read Matthew 26:34-75 , Mark 14:30-72, Luke 22:34-62 and John 13:36-38 &18:16-27. These are the Gospel accounts of Peter denying Jesus after his adamant proclamation of his love for Christ and his willingness to lay down his life to show his love.
This question makes me think of Deuteronomy 30:19 which says :
This question makes me think of Deuteronomy 30:19 which says :
God calls us to "choose life" , but what if life means death? What if it takes my physical death for me to choose eternal life ? I want to be willing to choose death for life so...
4. What Can I do to strengthen my "YES" ?
All I know to do to make sure that I say "YES I AM A CHRISTIAN" if I find myself in such a situation is to prepare by deepening my relationship with Jesus by praying daily and reading His Word. (How can you be willing to die for a person you don't have a relationship with?)
5. What can I do to help Christians and other people being persecuted by ISIS (and around the world) ?
This is not a problem only in Iraq and Iran, for people all around the world this is their reality.
- Many websites list prayer as the most powerful resource that can be used to help Christians being persecuted around the world. I agree.
- Find and organization you identify with and trust and Donate if your funds allow
- Voice of the Martyrs offers a long list of ways to help, including action packs to send to those being persecuted, Sending Bibles and Blankets and many other things.
- Open Doors offers suggestions like writing letters of encouragement, volunteer opportunities and blogging to raise awareness and "be a voice for the persecuted". (I'm now a part of their network of bloggers)
I hope these questions encourage you to think, get involved and really appreciate the freedoms we have as Christians living in America. I'd also like to especially thank those, like the United States Armed Forces, who fight in order for us to keep such freedoms.
Remember, regardless or nationality, faith, skin color, ethnicity or any other difference, God loves you and we are ALL a part of the Culture of God's Beloved people .
Remember, regardless or nationality, faith, skin color, ethnicity or any other difference, God loves you and we are ALL a part of the Culture of God's Beloved people .