Enemies to Advocates – A letter from the President
In Acts 9:4, Jesus asked Saul of Tarsus, soon to be the Apostle Paul, “Why do you persecute me?” In Acts 22:4, Paul describes the nature of his persecution of the body of Christ, “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.” Before his encounter with Jesus and the heart change brought by the Spirit of God, Paul hated the church and sought to destroy it.
When Paul first encountered Jesus he was left blind. John Polhill in his commentary on the book of Acts said, “the picture is of Paul in his brokenness and helplessness.” Until Jesus revealed himself Paul was blind to the Truth. This is at the root of all persecution. Satan strives to keep people blinded to the Truth of the One true and living God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
People who lack the knowledge of Jesus have only their own devices, political ideologies, philosophical preferences, or religious practices with which to navigate life. When confronted with the only Way, Truth, and Life, their entire existence is threatened and they seek to destroy the threat. The reason Paul previously sought the destruction of the church and the Gospel message he eventually championed was the threat it posed to the Jewish religious system in which he was schooled. But, on a much deeper level, it was Satan’s efforts to keep him blind to the Truth.
According to multiple reports, 50-60% of the world’s population live in places of persecution. Either the political system is authoritarian or the dominant religion is extreme in its demand for adherence. People blind to the Truth who seek its destruction.
In Acts 9:17-18, Ananias laid hands on Saul and said, “’Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.”
Pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who live in places where persecution is great. And pray for those who persecute them, that as with Saul their blindness would be healed, they would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and by the blood of Jesus their sins washed clean. That they would be changed from enemies of the Gospel to advocates, like Paul.
Charles White
President, Frontlines International
Something Greater
Nepal is best known for the highest mountain peak on earth, Mount Everest at over 29,000 feet (8848.86 m). This year over 1000 people will crowd the mountain between the beginning of April and the end of May in an effort to reach the summit. It is a dangerous endeavor. Over 200 frozen bodies litter the mountain. Climbers prepare for years honing their skills on smaller mountains before they undertake Everest. The cost to try is from $40,000 to $100,000 to spend two months in below-freezing temperatures and a few brief minutes at the summit, if you are successful.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit first in 1953. In a Forbes interview, Hillary said, “Clients are spending a large sum of money just to trek up our route, mainly so they can go back home and boast about it more.” Climbing is a welcome industry in Nepal that attracts adventurers looking to accomplish something “greater.”
What is not particularly welcome in Nepal is a testimony of the power of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, in whose name salvation resides. Over 80% of the country is Hindu. Less than 2% is Christian.
Imagine believers gathered in a pastor’s home to pray, study, and sing. When suddenly local Hindu extremists surround the house, shouting abusively, demanding the Christians cease their worship, finally torching the home and burning it to the ground. What do you do? You move to a relative’s house where you continue to, quietly and humbly, pray, study, and sing while rebuilding the pastor’s home. You stay the course knowing that God is at work. You live daily prepared to respond to any who would ask “why?’ (1 Peter 3:15).
Christ calls us all to live as our Nepalese brothers and sisters on the frontline of Satan’s attack against His Church. Resolute. Confident in Christ. Given fully to God, all we have, all we own, all we are. Knowing we need look no further. We have found the Greatest. We boast in Christ alone.
