Unity on the Front Lines
Welcome to Peniel CrossRoads, where we embrace Jesus’s heart and together live out the call to biblical unity!
It is a well-known fact that a common enemy can cause new alliances to happen. During the difficult days of World War II, the U.S. and Britain teamed up with Stalin in Russia as allies against a common Nazi threat.
As Christians, we do not consider anyone on this planet as our “enemy.” Even those who are the most hostile to God and our faith are our mission field, not our enemy. Our battle truly is not against flesh and blood!
But when faced with opposition, Christians tend to unite better. We lay aside our differences and cling together under the banner of a common Savior.
This is nowhere better illustrated than in India right now. There are three Indian students taking an online class with me and other Asian and American students on the doctrine of holiness. It is a difficult thing to have to ask your students every week, “How is your context? Are you safe?” We spend time nearly every class praying for their safety.
These are difficult days for believers in India, where there is a great deal of pressure and discrimination against Christians. I had lunch today with an Indian pastor living in the U.S. He informed me that there is a new law in some provinces that a pastor can be imprisoned for ten years for holding a single baptism!
I find such news extremely troubling, and I am certainly not used to asking my students every week, “Are you safe?”
But the news is not all bad! In fact, I am amazed at the confidence of my Indian students. As I question them week after week, they have never once spoken of being afraid. They admit that they are under pressure, and it is difficult. But neither their words nor their body language betrays any fear. In fact, they say that the Kingdom is growing around them! With so much discrimination and pressure, many Indians are coming to faith. Miracles are happening. God is at work.
It is not the first time I have ministered with Christians in adverse settings. And, it is also not the first time I have found believers who were unafraid of their future!
No one wishes or looks for difficulties. But difficult circumstances bind believers together in prayer and the solidarity of hope. Difficulties simplify our faith, stripping away the unnecessary parts of tradition and religion that we too often argue about. Difficulties clarify the One True Thing that unites us—and that One True “Thing” is not a “thing” at all!
JESUS is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He alone is our bond of peace and love.
So, Christianity in India is experiencing growth in new believers and new depths of love, Christlikeness, faith, and unity. These are the marks of the Kingdom of Heaven!
May His Kingdom come, and may His will be done in my heart, my church, my denomination, and my nation as well.
PRAYER EMPHASIS: Would you please take a few minutes to pray for brothers and sisters in India and other restricted nations? Pray that they will grow in Christlikeness, remain unified as one Body, and that they would be given sufficient courage to testify about our Lord Jesus in word and with their lives.
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2