Some great news about the story in the news a couple weeks ago that drew my attention, the Sudanese woman convicted and waiting for a death sentence to be carried out because she was a Christian and refused to deny her faith is now free.
That's right, free.
On June 3, I wrote about Meriam's ordeal which seemed difficult to believe to those of us in the United States of America. Or, at least we like to think it's hard to believe.
It's great news, but serves as a reminder that she is not the only one facing persecution for her beliefs.
As a Christian and as an American, I would say it is wrong for anyone to be persecuted for their faith.
That doesn't mean I think all are the same or achieve the same result, but I believe to have a conversation with somebody about what they believe and why; we need to start with a presumption of respect and listen to them.
A true conversation will offer an opportunity to exchange views, and doing so in that fashion will be more effective with the listener than using force, yelling, or another tactic.
Christians believe that we can share what we believe, but that it's the Holy Spirit that actually does the work of changing hearts.
Around the world folks are facing varying levels of hardship for how they look, what they think, what they say, and what they believe -through history people have fought and killed in the name of Christianity - I doubt that's effective and like what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 12:
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;[c] never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[d] to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
That's right, free.
It's great news, but serves as a reminder that she is not the only one facing persecution for her beliefs.
As a Christian and as an American, I would say it is wrong for anyone to be persecuted for their faith.
That doesn't mean I think all are the same or achieve the same result, but I believe to have a conversation with somebody about what they believe and why; we need to start with a presumption of respect and listen to them.
A true conversation will offer an opportunity to exchange views, and doing so in that fashion will be more effective with the listener than using force, yelling, or another tactic.
Christians believe that we can share what we believe, but that it's the Holy Spirit that actually does the work of changing hearts.
Around the world folks are facing varying levels of hardship for how they look, what they think, what they say, and what they believe -through history people have fought and killed in the name of Christianity - I doubt that's effective and like what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 12:
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;[c] never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[d] to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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