A Call to Arms

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

The Catholic World Report tells us, "Over 200 Christians were murdered by Islamist militants in Nigeria on June 13, 2025" and that "an average of 30 Christians (are) murdered each day in Nigeria in 2025." Nigerian-style persecution has made its way to our shores. Yesterday, a well-known conservative was murdered as he spoke in a public venue.

The world grieved—or rather, the Christian and conservative worlds, whose social platforms exploded, bent under the weight of expressions ranging from broken hearts to anger at this senseless death. Then there were the other posts. Ugly, hateful posts from the woke community, spitefully spewing out caustic words, saying they would definitely, in no shape, way, or form, offer condolences. No mercy or basic human decency allowed in "performative progressive" attitudes.

How do you feel about the murder? About the hateful rejoicing? it's so natural, so very human, to embrace a reaction of anger and desire for vengeance. The question is: what would Jesus do?

Yes, He whipped the money grubbers and hypocrites out of God's house—but of the brutal soldiers who drove spikes into his hands and feet, he cried, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The sinless Son of God. The only perfect man to walk on the face of this earth. And he was put to death in the most horrible way imaginable. As he was led up the via dolorosa, Jesus turned to the ones who followed, the brokenhearted who grieved for His suffering, and said, "... if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry (Luke 23:31)?" If the world treated Jesus thus, what can we expect?

How could Jesus pray for His tormentors? They didn't deserve it. Yet Scripture says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus didn't start loving us when we were washed up nice and tidy, our spirits sparkling with the crisp newness of life in Christ. No, He loved us when we were muddy, filthy, covered in abominable mire, more disgusting than a dog covered in skunk scent. He loved us when we were totally unlovable.

A relative who professes atheism was taken aback when my conservative brother spoke of President Biden with tears in his eyes. She was surprised that a conservative would feel grief for such a prominent non conservative. Could this surprise be indicative of woke reactions towards those who hold different views? Could it be that their godless hate-filled rhetoric causes them to be surprised when conservatives do not respond in kind? Be that as it may, my brother responded to her surprise saying, "Honey, it's so sad to think that he is so old and sick, on the brink of dying, and he doesn't have Jesus. If he dies without Jesus, where will he go?"

There is a person who has cyber stalked and tormented members of my family for years. Not days. Not months. Years. Years in which I have prayed for the situation, for deliverance, for protection. But the most recent time I was shown her ugly intrusiveness on a social platform, the Lord reminded me of Romans 12:19-21, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourelves, but leave room for God's wrath for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." I am ashamed to say that in all these years of praying about this stressful situation, I can't ever remember praying for the perpetrator. I stand corrected by the Holy Spirit of God.

May that same Spirit of mercy fill us, guide us, and keep us on the right track in the face of violent persecution. The Hitlers, the Yasser Arafats, the suicide bombers ... all those perpetrators of vile, horrific actions against God's children ... in the face of their godless actions, let us wrap our mind around this: God loves even them. Jesus died for them just as assuredly as He died for us. He didn't die just for the sweet little four-year-old moppet, her face framed by adorable little ringlets that give her the look of a cherub straight from Heaven. No, He also died for the vile, disgusting sinner whose actions are like a knife twisting in our gut.

In the words of our Lord, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same: And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48).

It is time to pick up our spiritual weapons. It is time to pray. It is time to follow hard after our Lord Jesus. That is the best revenge.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:17-18).