Earlier this week, ISIS took responsibility for their second attack in a major European city in the past five months, when a Brussels, Belgium airport was bombed. 30 civilians were pronounced dead while 230 were wounded. Along with these attacks, they have consistently persecuted the Christian Church in the Middle East, which has made the Islamic State a very intriguing talking point.
Last night, while watching the news, I wrote down a few tough questions and began to research.
- How did Jesus respond to his enemies?
- Do we believe members of ISIS are undeserving of grace?
- How should Christians respond to the events around us? Should we respond with prayer or war?
The best response Jesus gave to his enemies was the cross. While He was spat on, beaten, bruised, mocked and killed, he asked his father to "forgive them, for they don't know what they have done." Jesus' crucifixion was the most brutal death in the history of mankind. Yet, Jesus never tried to harm his killers. He looked upon them with love and compassion.
So, what does that mean for us, his followers? As Christians, we are called to be the body (representation) of Christ. We must strive to live like Christ in every aspect. I believe Jesus would show compassion to every ISIS member. He would wash their feet, eat with them, heal them and pray with them. Christ's ministry didn't avoid anyone and neither should ours.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
From what I have seen on social media, it seems we believe ISIS members are disqualified from salvation. This could not be further from the truth. Jesus came to earth and died for every man, woman, and child regardless of their faith. 1 John 1:9 reminds us that if anyone confesses their sin, He is just to forgive them and make them righteous. So, if the Word of God says that, why do we tend to ignore it?
Personally, I am nothing without Christ (John 15:5). Without the cross and resurrection, I would be spending my eternity in hell, along with everyone else. So, what makes these men any different? Why can't they be saved? We cannot let hatred flow in our hearts to the point where we no longer believe the Gospel can save anyone.
Saul, who was the New Testament equivalent to ISIS, made a career of killing Christians. Yet, one day, on the road to Damascus, his eyes were opened by the Gospel. This resulted in one of the greatest evangelists in history. If Paul was not too far gone, neither is ISIS. The Gospel can save anyone.
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12
As Christians, our response to ISIS should simply be prayer and perseverance, rather than war. When the disciples were being persecuted and killed, they prayed. When Jesus hung on the cross, he prayed. Prayer is our most powerful weapon. My friend Drake Osborn said this:
"How should Christians respond? With prayer and humility. We 'put away our swords', 'pray for those who persecute', and 'joyful accept the plundering of our property'. Christianity is a violent religion, but it is absolutely in no way defined by Christians taking up arms. It never has been. Jesus didn't take up arms... rather 'for the joy set before him' he endured violence against him. He did it for the sake of his enemies! So we too should be 'imitators of Christ'. This does not mean we cannot trust our government to take military action, join the military to take action ourselves, or pray for justice for those oppressed, but our first thought as Christians never has been and should never be 'kill.'"
Our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). As Christians, our first instinct to the events around us cannot be to kill. We must remember, war is a duty of our government, not the body of Christ. Like Drake said, this doesn't mean you can't support military action, join the military, or even defend yourself; but, our first reaction cannot be war. The Gospel will never be spread through the barrel of a gun.
This Easter weekend, let's remember that Jesus bore the sins of the world. Let's remember to pray for those who persecute us, for those who are persecuted, and for anyone affected by these terrible events.
Remember: the victory was won over two thousand years ago when Jesus defeated sin and rose from the grave. There is no sting in death; there is only joy. Our hope does not lie within this earth. It lies in the truth that we will live forever in perfection because of Jesus' blood and atonement.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
