Our Christlike Response: Love

(Image courtesy of http://www.ourhealingmoments.com.)
The recent Supreme Court decision reflecting our culture's downward spiral into evil has generated many statements and comments.  But what is the Christian to do?  How are we to respond to this intolerant view of the truth?  In all the excitement, a Christian - a born-again believer, called to make disciples in a world no matter how dark - should have the same response this Egyptian Christian has toward
the Muslims in his homeland.

Please read with consideration the following excerpt from The Voice of the Martyrs, "30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World 2015":

"Bolos is leading a Christian underground organization in his homeland, Egypt: 'On on the one hand Christians in Egypt are filled with joy and sense a deep love for their fellow men; on the other, they have to fear for their lives because they have left Islam and are considered apostates.  Yet, they are a testimony for Jesus through the love they show to their relatives and acquaintances.  This love has already moved entire families to believe in the living God.

'... it's a risky ministry because we don't have the freedom of faith that other nations enjoy.  We are working underground because in Egypt it is dangerous to tell Muslims about Jesus.  There is not only danger from the government, but it is also unacceptable in Egyptian society.

'Egyptians who have found faith in Jesus are eager to pass on the love they have found to other Egyptians.  We support them through training and networking.  Or we help them to establish a small business of their own like a taxi-service so they can be financially independent if they have to break away from their Muslim communities.

'We also work in medical services, giving the poor free check-ups and urgently needed medicines.  We try to be as wise as possible.  Our focus is always on friendship, not on discussions or arguments.  Our Muslim neighbors see the way we act.  When they start asking questions we tell them about the love of God.

'I wish with all my heart that thousands, even millions, of Egyptian Muslims will find living faith in Jesus and become witnesses of their faith wherever they live.  God's kingdom is being built here in Egypt.'"

Wow.  American Christian, learn from the words of this Egyptian Christian who has been through far greater persecution than we have undoubtedly ever been through.  Our God is still God.  And love is still His answer to all problems and dilemmas that arise in the lives of His people.

Jesus says very clearly in chapter 13, verses 34 and 35 of John's Gospel that the world will know we are Christians by our love.  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  Love for one another is obviously important to Jesus because He repeated Himself three times in the same breath!

This love does not only extend to fellow believers, however.  Elsewhere, Jesus answers the question of who is my neighbor?  All people are your neighbors, he responds.  "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).  "But now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love" (I Corinthians 13:13).

Oh Lord God, please forgive me for not loving others the way You have loved me.  I want to echo the words of the Egyptian named Bolos: I wish with all my heart that thousands, even millions, of American homosexuals will find living faith in Jesus and become witnesses of their faith wherever they live.  I want to say that God's kingdom is being built here in America.  Oh Lord, have mercy on my soul for my wasted time!


"Behold!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).  He stands at your door, oh Christian.  Will you let Him in to finish the work He started in you?

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