LOVE YOUR ENEMIES Nigeria is divided religiously along the tenth parallel. On the north side Muslims are in the majority. On the south side Christians are in the majority. Along the border between these two groups much blood has been spilled repeatedly in recent years.One pastor says, We are facing persecution from our neighbors, the Muslims. They dont want to see the Gospel progressing and they feel envious that we have more church buildings and our businesses are expanding as well. Another pastor adds, They see that they must stop the expansion of Christianity into the north, and that has to be done physically. And a bishop of one large church denomination is wearying from the many attacks. He is quoted as saying, We have turned the other cheek so many times, we have no more cheeks to turn! One violent incident took place in Tudun Wada. It began when a young student was accused of drawing a picture of Islams prophet Mohammed. All of a sudden the matter was taken seriously They started burning churches and rioting with all kinds of weapons. Nineteen Christians were killed that day, leaving behind mourning widows, family members and friends. Ten churches were burned. Thirty-six homes and one hundred forty-seven shops belonging to Christians were destroyed. But, God gave spiritual courage to His followers on that terrible day. And they refused to run.Looking back on the situation, a pastor in the area says, The churches that were destroyed in fact there is none that has been rebuilt that is not bigger than what it was before. And the attendance by members has grown astronomically. As soon as our co-workers heard about the violence, they rushed to Tudun Wada to see the circumstances for themselves. They provided for the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of the pastors and the entire Christian community. Again the pastor comments, They distributed to us Bibles and other reading materials. All of us pastors were very, very excited. We were happy. Another added, Open Doors through the Standing Strong Through The Storm seminar has lifted up our hearts, and has given us a heart of love for our enemies Just like Jesus Christ said that we should pray for our persecutors our attitude towards them is actually to pray for them, and love them. The critically important need facing Nigeria is forgiveness. Christians are seeking to express it in tangible ways as they live out the love of Jesus Christ, just as He did two thousand years ago. He forgave the very people who nailed him to a cross. That is the example Nigeria is witnessing today. And it is what will open the hearts of millions to the truth of the Gospel.RESPONSEI will be an example to others in loving, forgiving and praying for those who hurt me. PRAYERLord, bless the believers in central Nigeria today as they struggle responding to violence.
This story reminded me of this song...They Will Know We Are Christians By Our LoveWe are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord And we pray that all unity may one day be restored And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our loveWe will work with each other, we will work side by side We will work with each other, we will work side by side And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our loveBy our love, by our loveAnd they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our loveWe will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our loveBy our love, by our loveAnd they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our loveLove is patient, love is kind Never boasts, not full of pride Always hopes, always trusts The evidence of Christ in us© 1966 by F.E.L. Publications, Ltd./ASCAP (1925 Pontius Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025)
_________________Lisa