Please pray for my friends in India. I received an email from Raja, who told me the Christians in his area are facing opposition from some radical Hindu groups. These Hindus are threatening to use whatever means to shut down the churches there. Raja is concerned for the endurance of those who have recently come to faith and asked that we pray for God's work to continue despite this conflict.
This is in a different area than that of my friend Ani who was beaten last month (for a recap of Ani's situation, see Phyll's blog, postings on September 8 titled "Urgent Prayer Request" and September 19 "Updates from India"). Ani's district is on the east side of West Bengal, Raja's is on the west. It appears that persecution from radical Hindu groups is on the rise. This is particularly the case in Orissa, the state immediately south of West Bengal. There, hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians' homes have been destroyed. As many as fifty Christians have been killed. Click here for a recent report of the persecution in Orissa.
It is difficult to stand by while your friends experience suffering for their faith. It's even harder to encourage them to persevere when you know that you have not experienced anything like that. I find it to be a humbling privilege to know, pray for, and encourage these brothers and sisters and I hope that by God's grace, I will have the strength to stand for the faith as they have.
I'm going to include part of my response to Raja in the hope that it will remind us all of God's purposes in suffering, what an honor it is to face affliction for Christ, the hope we have in our Savior, and how much we need to be praying for these dear Christians.
I am continuing to pray for you and the brothers and sisters in this difficult time. Please read 1 Peter 4:12-19 to them for me.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"1 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
We must remember that Christ is the reward of this life, not prosperity, health, riches or comfort. If we face insults, threats, and persecutions of various kinds we are blessed! The Spirit of God rests upon us to strengthen and embolden us to stand for the truth of the Gospel. He gives us comfort and peace and joy in spite of suffering. And when the lost see our rejoicing, even in the midst of hardship, they are confounded. They wonder "why are they not despairing? Why do they not curse God?" In those times they cannot help but realize that we glorify a God who is truly there and their response can only be to glorify him likewise, or to deny him in hardness of heart. Therefore we ought to entrust our souls to our faithful God. He will grow his church, whether in persecution or in peace. But we have hope because we know that faithfulness to him will result in spiritual blessing now and abundant blessings in heaven. Our obedience will result in his word going forth and it will not be made void. It will accomplish its purpose. Therefore always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).
I hope this will be an encouragement to you all. Please hug them for me. Tell them I miss them and that I love them with the affections of Christ.
In life or death may Christ be honored (Philippians 1:20-21)! Grace and peace - Chet
Thursday, October 23, 2008
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