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A Lewd, Vile Act

Posted by Bob Fetherlin , 10 January 2009 · 921 views

A recent picture I saw made me feel great angst and distress. It was taken in a country where the persecution of Christ followers has risen dramatically in the past year. A radical persecutor bent on destruction and death was standing on top of a church building. He was committing a lewd, vile act with the cross on the front roof of the church while others were cheering him on from below. Moments later another picture was taken showing this church building being torched by the persecutors. I felt my gut wrenching as I looked in shock at these pictures.

Where is God in all of this? He is not asleep. He sees and knows what's happening, and His patience has limits. Because of who He is, there is hope.

Here is a word for persecutors of those who worship Jesus Christ: "Who is it you have insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One . . . " (Isaiah 37:23).

We know from Revelation 6:9-11 that a time will come when the blood of those killed "because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained" will be avenged. We also know that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19), that it is His to repay. As for us as Christ followers, we are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21), loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).

What do I do with my reaction to this man defiling a cross on top of a place where Christ followers worship? I must understand there's still time for him to repent, believe and acknowledge Christ as Lord. Like Saul of Damascus in Acts 9, this man's life can be radically transformed by Christ. Forgiveness and grace are richly available, even to persecutors. This seems counter-intuitive, yet it's true.

At the same time, this forgiveness and grace will not last forever. The blood of Christ followers spilt at the hands of persecutors will be avenged in God's way, in His time.

Lovers of Christ, take hope!

Persecutors, respond to Christ's grace now . . . or face Him as the the rider on the white horse whose name is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11-16). He will avenge, He will bring judgment and justice in His time.




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