Churches Burning

The war on Christianity is real and is being waged on many fronts. One of those fronts is the destruction of Christian places of worship. This has been going on for many years. The enemies of Christians will also frequently utilize the most important Christian holidays to ensure killing the largest number of Christians. A successful holiday explosion might also have the added benefit of scaring away people from ever attending service or participating in holiday festivities. This is sick!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?- Romans 8:35

All of this recently played out in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. This, on the most jubilant day wherein we reflect upon and remember the day that Jesus rose from the dead! Yet, on this day of celebration, the lives of three hundred and fifty nine men, women, and children were snuffed out in coordinated and carefully planned attacks. Five hundred more people were injured. Many Sri Lankan church services have been canceled until further notice. There are still many credible threats against Christians in that country.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.- Revelation 6:9

When I woke up on that lovely Easter morning, I was filled with all the hope and promise that this special day brings. I thought of the surprise that some of Jesus' followers most have felt when they visited the tomb of Jesus only to find that He was not there. I thought of the grace (that me) a sinner had been afforded because of our Lord's sacrifice. Now, it was Easter and there was the joy of victory that Jesus had over death. I love the parties and get-together that occur on Easter and I enjoy the chocolate Easter eggs.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.- Luke 24:2-3

Shortly after making my first cup of coffee I turned on my device and pulled up a news site. The headlines were like a morning dose of caffeine. Suddenly, I was wide awake. I couldn't believe it. Three churches and two hotels in Sri Lankan had been hit by a Muslim terrorist attack. Later on there would also be explosives found at an airport and even a bomb making factory was discovered. How is this not war? This is the war on Christianity.

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.- 1 John 3:13

There has been an uptick of stories describing the deaths of Christians around the world due to religious persecution. Not to mention the bombing or desecration of our places of worship. It is frequently not a lead story on the evening news nor in the suggested news stories pushed by your Facebook page, iPhone or other device. Why is that?

But he denied it, saying," I neither know nor understand what you are talking about."-Mark 14:68

One such story is that Christians in the Sudan and Nigeria face much uncertainty as they go about their daily lives. There are continual assaults on their rights, lands and livelihoods. Their churches and bible meeting groups are constantly attacked. Nigeria alone had three hundred Christians killed during the months of March and April and their churches burned to the ground. On Palm Sunday, a Baptist baby dedication party turned from a celebration to a funeral when seventeen of the attendees were ruthlessly gunned down by the neighboring Fulani Muslim tribesmen. Several children and the mother of that baby were killed.

They cried out with a loud voice, " O Soverign Lord Holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?- Revelation 6:10

Turning to France, we have all recently heard of the terrible fire that raged in Paris' Nôtre Dame Cathedral. But, did you know that there had been many vandalistic acts against churches in the year before this Cathedral fire? According to the German news site PI-News, two churches are desecrated every day in France. They also reported that there were one thousand and sixty-three attacks on French churches in 2018. This is up by seventeen percent from the previous year. With that pattern I have my doubts about what really happened at Nôtre Dame Cathedral.

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.- 2 Timothy 3:12

As I recall headlines that I have seen as regards the Middle East and Asia it seems quite dire for Christians there, if not genocidal. The Bible describes the martyrdom that believers have and always will face. It is not possible to face these terrible evil persecutions without the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. It is time for Christians to do more to assist fellow believers. Christian refugees are in need of practical help.

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.- Acts 14:22

Sometimes they need relocation or workers to rebuild their churches. Certainly political action is long past due. We can work through our government or church organizations to make a difference in God's worldwide church. As we proceed with our day let's contemplate anew how we can be a better worldwide body of Christ. We need to start acting more like family.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- Matthew 5:9-11