"Persevering through Persecution"
Jas.1:2-4,12; 5:7-11 Nov.16/03
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
How are Christians Suffering?
When a person decides to commit their life to Jesus Christ, do things become easier - or harder? Jesus predicted that though His followers would encounter trials after His death, they could find peace in Him. In John 16(33) He said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." On this International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, there is no denying that many believers in Jesus around the world are suffering indescribably for their faith, yet refuse to renounce their Lord who strengthens them.
For a few examples of how Christians are suffering, let's look very briefly at the countries of Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China. In Nepal, the world's only Hindu kingdom, it is illegal to convert other people to a different religion. Christians make up less than 2% of the population, so obedience to Jesus' Great Commission to make disciples causes difficulty. In June, a newly built church supporting a congregation of 100 was destroyed by a mob of Buddhist and Hindu villagers; police confiscated church belongings and arrested 3 church leaders. In July, the houses and cornfields of some Christians belonging to a rapidly growing house church were attacked by villagers because they refused to give up their faith. Here in Canada, we may wonder when we're going to get our corn harvested on account of the weather, but we're not fearful it will get destroyed simply because we're Christians!
In Pakistan, Christians continue to face regular attacks from Muslim extremists. On August 9, members of an Islamic militant group shot and killed 3 Pakistani Christian nurses and wounded 20 others as they emerged from a chapel service at a Pakistani-run Protestant hospital. Then on September 25, 7 Christians were killed and an eighth was critically wounded in an attack on a Christian charity which worked to obtain labour rights for industrial workers. The employees of the Institute for Peace and Justice had just started work when 2 armed gunmen entered the office, tied them to chairs, and shot them point-blank.
In Vietnam, there is a high human cost to the government's ban on Christianity among the tribal minorities. A new crackdown on Christians in the Montagnard ethnic group began in July 2002. By the end of September, 354 out of 412 Montagnard church had been forcibly disbanded and closed by authorities. 48 pastors, evangelists and church leaders have been arrested, capture or "disappeared" since September 2002.
China is home to one-fifth of our planet's people (1.2 billion) and the world's largest Christian revival, dating from the early 1970s. It's estimated the total number of Christians is 60-80 million, about a quarter of which are in the government-approved churches, the rest in unauthorized house churches. In one province alone, Jiangsu, official statistics state the number of Christians grew sixfold from 125,000 to 900,000 in the ten years leading up to 1995. One agency, Open Doors, reports: "There is great variation of toleration within the country. In some areas house church Christians sing at the top of their voices and even build their own churches in defiance of formal legislation, yet are left alone by police who know of their existence. In other areas, however, house church leaders can be arrested, beaten, jailed and the gathering stopped."
Can you imagine sitting in the Tasker Funeral Chapel, or McBirney's, hearing police sirens getting closer, then armed guards bursting in to arrest everyone? On June 28 this year, 80 believers were arrested when police raided a funeral in Hunan province. On Sunday July 13, at 4 in the morning, six church leaders from Zhejiang province were arrested in a police raid on a house church prayer meeting. (I guess that's the secret to a revolutionary prayer meeting - hold it at 4 am!)
Why are Christians Suffering?
Why does God allow believers to have to endure such hardships? We can understand why Christians might be perceived as a challenge to earthly governments. The agency Christian Response lists 3 of the main reasons Christians face persecution: they worship another "king"; Christians speak the truth and they refuse to be corrupted by corrupt regimes; Christians are advocates of human rights and have contacts all over the world. But apart from these common-sense factors, why does the Lord allow believers to suffer?
James the Lord's brother was no stranger to persecution. He knew another James, the son of Zebedee, had been killed by Herod with the sword; in fact, Peter's comment upon his escape suggests this James was already a prominent figure (target?) in the church (Acts 12:2,17). Yet James writes in 1:2, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." One reason Christians are allowed to suffer is so they can learn to find joy in the Lord rather than in their circumstances. It's easy to be happy and satisfied when you're comfortable and things are going well. That's understandable, it makes sense, it's natural. But to have joy when everything's going wrong, when you're physically sick, threatened, and your life is in danger, is un-natural, supernatural; it can only come from God. Persecution and suffering are means by which the Lord teaches us to find joy in Him. As 5:11 puts it, "We consider blessed those who have persevered." The persevering is no fun at the time, but produces a real blessing from the testing of our faith, its being proved "the genuine article". When suffering, we have come to the end of our own resources and are cast into the arms of the Lord. As Job discovered when restored at the end of his trials, we come to really know that "The Lord is full of compassion and mercy" (5:11).
Another reason God allows His people to suffer is to develop perseverance and completeness. Note Jas 1:3-4: "you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." When perseverance finishes its work or reaches its goal, its "telos", that's when we reach our "telos", our maturity, having "all the parts" of Christly character. As the world esteems things, those who are homeless and hungry are considered "lacking"; but as God examines our heart, those who relish all kinds of material things but are without perseverance are those considered "lacking" - immature, half-grown, spiritual "runts". The Greek word translated "perseverance" literally means "remaining under", ie staying power, true grit. Trials, not prosperity, are what develop maturity of character.
And a third reason to "hang in there" despite suffering is found in 1:12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Patiently bearing up under suffering qualifies us for a heavenly reward, what James calls the "crown of life" - emphasis not so much on the crown as on the LIFE, an eternal relationship with God. Life itself is the crown, the prize, the trophy awarded to those who love Jesus and last out the hardships.
So, to recap, James hints there are at least 3 factors why God allows believers to undergo suffering in this life: it's the route to true joy and blessing; it develops perseverance and completeness of character; and there is a lasting reward that far outweighs the pain of this earthly existence.
How can we Support the Persecuted?
Even though God's Word helps us understand a little better the value of suffering for one's faith, it's still mighty hard slogging to be persecuted. How can we support our brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring torture and harassment?
The theme chosen for this year's International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is "Pray for Us". It's taken from 2Thess.3(1-3) which says, "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." Amazing - in Paul's perspective, the first thing he asks the church to pray for is not his personal deliverance from prison, but that the message "may spread rapidly and be honoured". He was willing to put up with hardship so long as the main objective was accomplished, the spread of the Good News about Jesus. Only secondarily did he request prayers for personal rescue from "wicked and evil men".
James as well, in chapter 5(13-18), emphasizes the importance of prayer for others who suffer. He says, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray...Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." He goes on to give the example of Elijah, causing drought or rain by his prayers. It's not that James wants us to be miracle rain-makers. His point is that we will see God's intervention when we pray for each other's hurts, forgiveness, and physical healing. Call out on behalf of those who are in trouble.
It is exciting to see the positive developments that have occurred in response to prayer over the years, in combination with other action on behalf of Christians who are oppressed. The message is spreading. The World Evangelical Alliance reports that years ago the Communist Party in the Soviet Union erected blocking towers in Khabarovsk on the east coast of Russia to block out gospel radio signals from Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) in the Philippines and beyond. Today that Khabarovsk site is the home of FEBC Russia. What's more, some of those who worked for the communists, as atheists, jamming gospel radio signals there, still work at that site today for FEBC Russia - now as Christians, broadcasting the gospel.
Similarly, Albanian Communist dictator Enver Hoxha established Radio Tirana to propagate atheism throughout Albania. But today Trans World Radio broadcasts the news of Jesus from that same site. "The Living God, who always has the last word, has an amazing sense of irony." Prayer changes things.
In China, since 1987, 25 million Bibles have been legally printed and sold. Many provincial church councils are able to print Christian literature. Thousands of Christian teachers have taught English and other subjects in universities. Seminaries and churches have been rebuilt and orphanages and charities have been established, thanks to cooperative projects between overseas missions and official, state-approved organizations. This is a great improvement.
In September, Xiao Bi-guang was one of 2 church leaders arrested in China on charges of "conspiracy to subvert the national government and socialist system" - a charge that carries a 5-year prison sentence and the possibility of the death penalty. However, praise God because he's been released! A link could not be found to prove the charges. In addition, he was not beaten or physically abused while incarcerated. The outcry resulting from the publicity around his case is seen as a major factor in his release. Police asked Xiao, "How did you get your story on the Internet?" Xiao wishes to express his thanks for the prayers and support of Christians around the world.
But much remains to pray about. Evangelism outside the church walls is illegal, as is the teaching of religion to anyone under 18 years old. House church leaders are still jailed and beaten for what in Western society would be regarded as the free expression of their faith. The other church leader arrested in September, Zhang Yi-nan, has been sentenced to two years of "re-education through labour". A source within the Beijing Public Security Bureau said, "Zhang doesn't have a criminal problem. He has a mind problem. He is too superstitious." Entries in his personal journal and written prayers, such as asking the Lord to "destroy the strongholds in China", were used against him, proving his need for "re-education". Pray for our brother Zhang, and that the Lord will sustain his family and fellow Christians during this ordeal.
Besides praying, practical assistance is also emphasized by James. In 1:27 he says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." We are to provide for those in distress, share materially with those who are suffering. In chapter 2(15f) he adds, "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"
Soon Stephanie and Jess Bokhout are travelling to South Africa to help in the ministry to orphans operated by The Love of Christ (TLC). The founder, Thea Jarvis, points out that hundreds of babies are abandoned every week in South Africa. Statistics show that by the year 2005 there will be more than a million orphaned infants in that nation as a result of AIDS. Thea felt called by God to serve the practical needs of these unwanted babies. Early on, when she discovered a personal relationship Jesus as Saviour, she left the Catholic church and attended what she calls a "fundamental" church. But over time she found out they weren't interested in ministering to so many black parentless babies. So she eventually returned to the Catholic church and found parishioners there were willing to help out in recovering these discarded rocks into precious jewels. But such a shame that the conservative church wasn't willing to show God's love in a real way!
For the first several years, Thea's husband Robin financed the ministry almost totally from his private funds. Thea says, "We learned about material sacrifice. God had to release us from our materialism and desire for lovely things, rather than that which God considers important - human souls. It is true, letting go of those things looked like sacrifice at that time. But today my family realizes that relinquishing them simply opened up a great and liberating doorway to a life far more worthy and fulfilling than the one we had before." In providing for those in distress, they discovered the fulfillment of pure religion.
An organization called Christian Response offers practical help to the persecuted church. For instance, in Cuba they're currently supporting 100 church planters at about $300/month each. Within 6-8 months the churches they plant become viable; at that point an experienced pastor is assigned to the new fellowship and the church planter moves on to a new area.
In Pakistan, every year numerous Christian women fall victim to kidnapping, rape, and forced marriage because they are believers. CR provides a safe house where these women can learn a trade, grow in their faith and discover they are not alone in their suffering. Also, CR provides legal assistance to believers in Pakistan who are subjected to malicious rumours and false charges, which can result in long prison terms or sometimes death.
In Vietnam, Christian Response sponsors some 800 teachers to be trained in leading Vacation Bible Schools. It only costs $1/child for VBS meals, books, and materials. Their goal is to reach 20,000 children. And as a result of persecution in the north, many families were driven off their land or had their homes torched. CR's Project New Land is providing 10 of these families with land and self-sufficiency at a cost of about $390/year/family. If our faith is really alive, in such ways we will not just wish people keep warm and well fed, but help it happen, as God has blessed us so we can share.
Heavenly Reward "Extra Bonus"
In closing, here are a couple of quotes from Christians of these nations that impressed me. We've been talking a lot about the situation in China. Samuel Lamb is a Chinese pastor who reminds us the main reason to be in solidarity with our hurting persecuted faith-siblings is not even the "crown of life" hereafter James refers to, but the presence of Jesus here and now in a love-relationship. Pastor Lamb says: "I want to look to the reward, not the circumstances. The greatest help during these times of persecution is to keep looking to Jesus. He is always near. The greater the persecution, the nearer He is. The reward in heaven is only an extra bonus." Did you catch that? It's not "streets of gold" that excites him, but knowing Jesus is near in the trials.
The other quote is from the TLC orphanage founder, Thea Jarvis. In her book she relates a prayer experience which emphasizes that we as church need to have on our hearts what's on God's heart; to seek the Giver rather than the gift. He hears the cries and responds to those who suffer. Thea recalls that as she prayed about the orphan situation, "There was silence for quite some time, and then the Lord worked an answer into my heart. 'I am the Father of the fatherless. The Father of the orphan. But I have not called the TPA (our Children's Aid?) to be their mother. Nor even the government. My love is not in the government. They can't be a loving mother because they are only a stepmother. They have been forced to play a stepmother's role, because my unfaithful bride refuses to take her place and care for my babies. She calls me her husband when she wants my provision. She calls me her husband when she wants my blessing. She only seeks my hand, she doesn't seek my heart. If she did seek my heart, she would find that, like every human groom, and every human father, my heart's desire is for my little children. If she loved me as she should, she would care for my little babies.' [Thea adds] Would it sound terribly funny if I said, I really felt sorry for the Lord!? Indeed, His church was an unfaithful bride. The whole world was crawling with God's abandoned children, and His bride was running around chasing paper butterflies. Prosperity. Following after the things of the flesh; jet aeroplanes, fancy cars, extravagant wardrobes. Having fun; indulging herself. A wave of love swept over me. 'I love you Lord, and I'm sorry...' I whispered with tears, 'and even if I have to single-handedly represent your bride on earth and take care of all your little babies, I'll find a way to do that, Lord Jesus. You leave it to me; I'll find a way.'"
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (5:11). As we stand with those in distress, praying and providing for them, we will discover with them Christ's blessing through perseverance and godly maturity. Let's pray.