Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Is God Losing?

Orissa violence 2008 _82 One of the main reasons why the Voice of the Martyrs exists is to be a voice for those who are being persecuted. We do that in a number of ways - through our month newsletter, our weekly Persecution and Prayer Alert, web sites and multimedia (to name a few). Technology has dramatically changed since the time Richard Wurmbrand began this mission over 40 years ago. As a result we get information about the persecution of Christians around the world more often and much sooner. Technology and the availability of travel allows us to produce more video reports and write articles of persecuted believers so we can hear their voices and see their faces which in turn helps us better understand what they are facing as followers of Jesus. They aren’t just living in some far off land, but they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, a part of the same family as us. Their stories become more real to us. We can’t ignore them.

This constant access of information about the Persecuted Church makes us more aware of those who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

However there are those who feel that by reporting too much on the subject Christian persecution makes it appear that God’s Kingdom is not doing so well. A recent email from Dave got me thinking about this. Here is what he wrote.

Hello, I have heard that some people were complaining that the VOMC The Voice of the Martyrs Canada) was painting a picture that God was 'losing' in the world by posting so many articles of persecution. I wanted to say that seeing God answer prayers, like Chen Le being invited back to the school he had been banned from in China, is just one example of how God is winning. And working. And moving. As a Canadian we need to see what is happening around the world to Christians. Thank you all for your hard work in presenting stories of persecution from around the world. Thank you for the newsletters and for the people you are representing through them. Keep on presenting the truth! For His glory! – Dave

Dave is right. It not God’s Kingdom that is being destroyed, it is Satan’s kingdom that is falling. The enemy of our souls is desperate, and is doing all he can to disrupt the work of God. All through the Bible we read about the suffering of God’s righteous servants. Much of the New Testament was written by persecuted Christians to persecuted Christians. Being persecuted for those who desire to live of godly life in Christ Jesus is just a part of what it is to be a follower of the Lord (2 Timothy 3:12). The persecution of Christians is often proof that God is advancing His Kingdom, not losing ground.

We are in a war, and that battle which is often brutal will continue until the end of time. However the Bible tells us, God’s people are on the winning side! Yes, there are wounded along the way. But rather than ignoring them or turning away, let’s pray for them, remember them and help them. God is NOT losing! And we’ll keep reporting and telling the stories from the Persecuted Church.

4 comments:

Steve said...

"...and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy)..." (Heb 11:35-38)

Sometimes "losing" is winning, when it is a victory of faith. Even this complaint betrays how much we in the Western church presume the health, wealth and prosperity gospel. Blessing is not the only barometer of faithfulness, sometimes "cursing" is a testimony of His grace. God delivers out of and through suffering!

Lord bless your ministry at VOM!

CD2000 said...

God has protected his Church for over 2,000 years now and so still he does. Let's not give room to doubt and continue pray for all those who suffer persecution and martyrdom

thanks for sharing this blog. I already added them to my list of blog.

God bless.

Anonymous said...

There is a beauty and testimony of Christ seen in those who can love from the heart in a genuine way those who persecute. To Glenn's list of praying, remembering & helping, I would add become more like them. . . to follow Jesus in this world as they do.

Anonymous said...

In the last year of the second WW,I was a member of the Red Cross.We would go where the war had left its ugly marks,in bombings and even executions by the enemy.When I read Greg'article,i knew very clearly why I am praying,helping and promoting in reaching out to the "wounded"in this war.For me it is still the faithfulness to the CROSS,bloodied and RED with the blood of our Lord!
Suzanna Meyer