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The recent joyful Easter celebration in Sri Lanka abruptly turned into a horrific tragedy when suicide bombers targeted three churches—two Catholic and one Protestant. More than 300 lives were lost and over 500 others injured as a result.
Two days later, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks. Sri Lanka’s minister of defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, said that the attacks were “carried out in retaliation” for last month’s mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand, in which 50 Muslims were killed. This incident offers several lessons.
The futility of retaliation
Muslims were understandably angry that 50 Islamists were murdered at their house of worship. But the carnage in New Zealand was not carried out by a Christian, but a hate-filled white supremacist. How senseless is it to retaliate by murdering over 250 Christians thousands of miles away? How is that justice? What good does that accomplish?
Christ’s followers are taught not to take revenge when wronged, but to turn the other cheek and leave vengeance to God. Every time angry mobs attempt to take matters into their own hands, the result is overkill and/or injustice. That’s why we’re instructed to leave justice up to God.
On June 17, 2015, Dylann Roof, a white supremacist, murdered nine African-American worshippers in Charlestown, South Carolina. Roof confessed and said he hoped to ignite a race war.
A few days later, several mourning relatives told Roof they forgave him and were “praying for his soul.” Even though deeply hurt, on that day those Christians set an inspirational example of trusting in God’s justice and not retaliating. What a dramatic contrast between the followers of two major religions!
Preparing for persecution
According to The Christian Post, attacks on churches during the Easter season have become a common occurrence worldwide in recent years, such as:
“Christians now awaken each Easter and ask ‘WHERE will we be killed this year?’ Not, ‘IF,’” Johnnie Moore, a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, tweeted.
In the future, the target may be a large American church or Christian assembly. What will be your reaction? Will you respond in fear and quit attending church? Or will you say courageously with Paul: “To live is Christa and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Ever since the first century it has been dangerous to follow Christ. Second Timothy 3:12 warns those who want to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted.
Aiding other believers
While we should not retaliate against personal offenses, we should come to the aid of those who are being mistreated.
The Bible teaches that when one member suffers we all suffer with them. Proverbs 24:11 tell us to weep with those who weep, and rescue those being led to death. Paul taught in Hebrews 13:3 to remember those who are mistreated, as if we were suffering.
One positive thing American Christians can do in the wake of the Sri Lanka massacre is to petition our government to come to the assistance of oppressed Christians overseas. The U.S. continues to give generous aid to Islamic countries that persecute Christians and carry out the death penalty against Muslims who convert to Christianity.
While we don’t seek to get even, we should encourage our government officials to do what they can to protect fellow believers in countries where they are a persecuted minority. We should insist foreign governments respect religious freedom and basic human rights.
Anticipate restrictions
If violent attacks on churches, synagogues, and mosques continue, the end result may well be legislation prohibiting “proselyting” and labeling any religious discussion in the public arena as hate speech.
Freedom of religion, guaranteed in the Constitution, may be changed to freedom of worship. Spiritual discussion may be permitted only in church buildings. That would be a blow to evangelistic outreach and free speech.
When that happens will you become a closet believer? Or will you boldly say with the apostles of old, “We cannot help speaking about what we’ve seen and heard” (Acts 4:30)?
Hopefully, it will be the latter.
Photo source: istock
 | Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More » |
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