How Christians Can React to Brutal ISIS Killings of Coptic Christians

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As if American Christians weren't scared enough of ISIS, we just got this latest credible report that ISIS affiliates brutally executed 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya. As a Christian pastor, I am horrified beyond words at this brutality. I’m mad about the unjust victimization of my brothers by these savage barbarians. I would like to do something very unkind to these people. Pope Francis and Christian leaders everywhere have forcefully condemned these killings.

But in spite of my outrage, I still have my wits about me. What advice do I have for you, my fellow Christians?

(1) Don't worry about whether or not U.S. leaders should take action. They will. You may not agree with every strategic point, but your agonizing over it won't affect what U.S. leaders do. Pray for them. "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (Matt 6:27)

(2) As Christians who belong to a nation without borders, we should first and foremost pray for and grieve with our fellow believers who are being senselessly butchered. They are your kinfolk in Christ Jesus, as Paul wrote that Jesus created in himself "one new humanity" in place of the divisions prevalent in our world (Eph 2:15).

(3) Stop thanking God that you live in a country without persecution. Doing so makes it sound as if you think God loves you more because you get to be a U.S. Christian rather than an Iraqi, Syrian or Egyptian Christian. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. . ." (John 3:16)

(4) Instead, thank God that you get to be part of the new creation in which there is "neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, slave nor free," American nor Iraqi nor Nigerian (Gal 3:28). Ask God to help you understand your place in this new creation.

(5) Research what you or your church can do to assist persecuted Christians across the globe. "The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also." (1 John 4:21)

Comments

Shirley U. said…
Great article. I appreciate your thoughts.
February 16, 2015 at 11:45 AM
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