Persecution Can't Stop the Gospel
Below is an edited (names have been changed to protect our
brothers and sisters around the world) version of the article I wrote for a
local non-profit seeking to better the lives of oppressed and persecuted Christ
Followers in Muslim countries. More and more
we are hearing about radical Islam, and how it is now entering our
borders. I began my research, so I would
have a better idea of what the news is talking about and what our brothers and
sisters face. I hope you take time to read it.
Persecution for our brothers and sisters in the middle east
is a real, every day thing, but like many Americans I didn’t have a
real idea of what that looked like until I made the decision to dive a little
deeper and research for myself what they are up against. Disclaimer:
I, by no means, claim to be an authority on the subject of Islam or their
law. This article comes from personal
research to gain more clarity, which I thought I would share with you.
In America we, as believers, THINK we know what persecution
is, but we really have no idea. So
instead of continuing to live like an ostrich with its head in the sand, I’ve
done a little homework to gain a better understanding. The following is part of what I’ve learned:
In one middle eastern country, the statistics are similar in others as well, the Christian population makes up about 1.6% of the
country. The majority of the population
is Muslim. Christ followers, for the
most part, are the poorest in the country; usually only able to receive work as
laborers or farm hands. Although they
are not Muslim, they are subject to
sharia (Islamic) law – the law of the land.
Sharia law is something we’ve heard about on the news, but
what does it really mean in relationship to Christ Followers in Muslim majority
countries?
It seems the most impact-ful of this law is the blasphemy
law.
(The following information was obtained from Daily Times
Pakistan article “Islam and the Blasphemy Law” written in November 2014. The
article was written by a Muslim gentleman.)
Blasphemy is defined as a
public exhibition of irreverent behavior or language toward anything
sacred; for the Muslim the thing most sacred is the Prophet Mohammad. In the case of Christ Followers this becomes
a very fluid, all-encompassing thing. So,
what is the basis of this law, which carries the death penalty for offenders?
Many pro-Islam folks will tell you that the Qur’an is
peaceful and doesn’t support such a penalty.
According to the article referenced above they are correct. The hiccup comes from this:
Sharia law is based on multiple sources – not just the Qur’an.
Its sources include: The Sunnah and the hadith. According to research neither the Qur’an nor
the Sunnah support the death penalty, BUT the hadith does – most strongly. The hadith also adds a twist to the blasphemy
law by allowing it to include apostasy. Apostasy
gives the law a much broader definition allowing it to include both public and private insults against, not only
the Prophet but, the whole religion.
What a wide net has been cast by this!
It is a purely subjective law with no clear boundaries, therefore interpreters
of the law can use nearly any excuse to bring charges against our brothers and
sisters.
For centuries other religions and governments have sought to
stamp out Christianity through persecution, and it hasn’t yet had the effect
they’ve desired. (Side Note: There could be a case made for complacency stamping it out, but that's another post altogether.) A little research will
show that persecution GROWS the church, and that is happening in this middle
east. Our churches in one country, in
the last month, have reported that more than 100 men and women have given their
lives to Our Lord. This decision, for
most of them, means their lives are now in danger, and they are receiving
threats from radical Muslims.
Our churches are going strong in spite of the threats. They work tirelessly to reach unreached areas
in the middle east, and report that many Muslim people have
been touched by the Gospel for far.
Churches are being planted, missionaries are being sent and
pastors/leaders are being trained. Praise
the Lord!
God is moving among His children in the middle east and lives
are being won for the Kingdom – forever changed.
Multiple times I have written on prayer for these Christ
Followers – our brothers and sisters – because I see the results – the answers
given. In spite of what they are up
against believers are obeying the Great Commission and the Muslim community is
being saved because of their obedience.
So, what can we do here?
We need to also be obedient – on two fronts:
- Pray for the saints, as the Acts believers
prayed (Acts 4: 23-31, specifically verse 29) “And now, Lord, look upon their
threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all
boldness.”
- We need to fulfilling the Great Commission
here! We need to share the love of Jesus
with those around us, and be “harvesters” in the field God has placed us in.
