What it Means to be a True Christian in a World Darkened by ISIS

Grey.  Blending.  Meshing closely.  Like the sadistic movie creating so much frenzy.

People saying nothing.  We don’t want to offend.  I hear them endless…“Let’s talk about what’s positive, not what we are against”.

And the line is thinning, even here in our Western Society.  Moralistic teaching becoming irrelevant, speaking truth now offensive, picking sides labeled, judgement.  So, we tip-toeing around trying not to offend.

• Instead of saying Jesus, we replace it with, “God”.
• We don’t talk about sin, we just call it, “bad choices”.
• We can’t talk about evil, convinced, “it’s their life”.
• We don’t want to stand up for Christ, but instead now remain silent.
• We reject Holy Scriptures, reading man-made theologies instead.
• The cross is offensive, so we twist scripture to be about prosperity instead.
• Media is offensive, but we whisper bitterly, “don’t judge”.
• We don’t want to be disliked, so we people pleasing and label it as, “love”.

Still can we imagine what it would be like  to live in a country not free?

• Whispering and secretly planning home gatherings just to sing praises and hear scripture spoken audibly?
• Spouses or parents or children at risk, just because we converted?
• Choosing to follow Christ, knowing we will be imprisoned or harshly persecuted?

In a world where we can’t imagine; knees down, waiting for a knife to cut us like those beheaded in Libya….Do we compartmentalize to get through our un-rattled lives, walk ignorantly oblivious of what has happened to Christians….not just in distant lands…but all throughout time.

And when did we gather that we could just “add Jesus”, to our rich, comfortable Christian lives….and all would be fine….

• When men died bloodying waters.
• When Christan’s fled in the night.
• When churches are being burned.
• When children have been watching their parents get slaughter, all because they converted to Christianity.

And who of us really knows persecution? Though we complain about churches, our family, what our purpose is, or our ministry….do we really “get” that groups of people are giving their lives continually for, Jesus.

I plan her after-school activities.  Theater, swimming, music, play dates.  I want her to be well balanced, entertained. I want her to know life abundant as many Westernized leaders explain to us….

But He whispers, “That she may know me, only”.  And I realize my job is not to isolate my children, hide them in a bubble, protecting them with sweet sounding experiences and theologies….but to teach them the reality…

• This world is hurting.
• We are the redeemed ones, more than conquerors, embodying the hope of the world.
• Scripture is everything, god breathed and relevant, useful in all circumstances.
• Our purpose is not for happiness, or popularity, or to be what we want or think we can be…..but to glorify God alone.
• Our calling is not just to love, but to fight for truth and justice.  We were created not just for peace, but to reach the lost living the model Jesus gave to us.
• We need not fear death when we are Christians, but must grieve deeply for the ones who die never experiencing the healing power of our God.

I see the photos. Ocean red like that when Moses encountered Pharaoh. His blood reminding me that this life should not be loved even until death.

I see their jumpsuits, orange, bent down, low, ready, praying to Jesus….willing to cross the line…giving up grey to give their lives for Him and Him alone.  The fullness of true life just a heartbeat away.

I see the lost ones.  Pointing knives and declaring Holy War on the cross.  And I think of Judas, the ones chosen for the purpose of slaying the sacred, giving over the Holy One, pretending to be a disciple but selfishly serving satan instead.

Yes, I don’t want to keep my children hidden from the world.  For who knows when war might come close, when they might have to choose what side of the line are they standing on…

In a world full of grey. 

For, although ISIS may kill Christians, they can’t truly behead them…because the head of the church was never a person…but instead, Christ.  ISIS may take their bodies, but they can’t take their minds, their spirit, their souls now alive with Christ….because they paid the cost the saints of old offered up….

Like other Christians, like the disciples, like Jesus himself.

I don’t want to hide in fear or ignorance…but live empowered because Jesus came not just so we could “get along” and peacefully live and die without no one knowing we are Christian….but to give it all, make our way to our own personal Jerusalem, not love our lives, even unto death….

If that what it calls for…to really walk not this Western, but the global call of truly…..being a Christian.