Fifth Sunday

For a considerable time, I have used these "Fifth Sundays" to merely promote one of my own books. However, in my first post of last month, I wanted to build on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, by referring to some of the millions who die, each year, in situations that most of us are incapable of even imagining.

So, since all royalties on the sale of my books are sent directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church, I have now decided to use these fifth Sundays to share some information about the persecuted church - but to also mention one of my books! Each time, I shall endeavour to share some of the contemporary situations in which disciples of Jesus are targeted for persecution.

More than 300 schoolgirls and 12 teachers have been taken from a school in north west Nigeria, in one of the largest ever mass abductions in the country. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday (21 November) at St Mary’s, a school in the Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area (LGA). The number taken includes 88 students who were captured as they tried to escape. However, 50 of those taken have since managed to escape over the weekend. It’s believed that 253 students and teachers remain held. St Mary’s is a Romanist school, though it is not yet known what percentage of those taken are Christians. 

In response to this latest kidnapping, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered the hiring of 30,000 more police officers, as well as the removal of all officers from VIP protection services to focus on core duties, especially in remote areas prone to attacks. The government has instructed the closure of nearly 50 federal colleges, and public schools in some states have been shut.  

Whilst kidnappings for ransom have commonly been used to terrorise and impoverish communities, former Minister of Information, Jerry  Gana, believes that the sudden escalation in abductions could be because armed groups want to use children as ‘human shields’ following the recent increase in global attention paid to violence against Christians in Nigeria. 

The apparent failure of the government to protect civilians has widespread effects, with more than 10,000 schools closed in northern Nigeria due to the current insecurity, exposing millions of children to illiteracy, early marriage and poverty. This vulnerability makes it easier for Islamist militant groups to recruit them, worsening the spiral of violence and oppression. 

“We are deeply saddened by these latest kidnappings in northern Nigeria,” says Jo Newhouse*, Open Doors (another organisation that my wife and I support, and that works as does RI) spokesperson for the work in sub-Saharan Africa. “We are immediately taken back to the Chibok girls kidnapping in 2014, of which many girls – now women – are still in captivity. We urge the Nigerian government to do everything in its power to safely return these student and teachers to their families, and ensure that schools are protected from such attacks. Closing schools are a short-term solution and all children should be free and safe to attend school and receive an education.” 

This book, available in both paperback and e-book (Kindle) forms, uses the wording of "The Apostles' Creed" to explain, in everyday terms, the basics of the Christian Faith. There are links at the top of the blog, and you may read the beginning, free of charge! 

Stand Fast

"Stand fast!" It's the command that one might hear as a soldier facing an attack by the enemy. The order is, in effect, to hold one's position even in the face of what might appear to be overwhelming odds.

So some might be surprised to hear the apostle, Paul, give the same command to the disciples of Jesus in the city of Philippi, located in northern Greece, near the border with modern-day Macedonia. The city was founded by Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC. It was later conquered by the Romans and became an important Roman colony.

In his letter to the local believers, Paul exhorts: "Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand fast thus in the Lord, my beloved." (4:1)

Several adjectives precede the command contained in this text. Not only does Paul twice use "dearly beloved" to describe his relationship with the Philippians, but he also insists that he longs for them and anticipates joy at the recognition of the "crown" he will receive in heaven.

 

These are intense words. "agapetos" is the descriptive Greek term translated "dearly beloved." The Heavenly Father uses that same word to express His love for His "beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17). Most of the New Testament letters freely use agapetos to describe various personal relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ. That unique and deeply spiritual love is what demonstrates our difference to the unsaved. So John records the words of the Lord Jesus: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35).

 

Since Paul is separated from the Philippian church (almost certainly writing the letter from prison in Rome), his love for them caused him to "yearn for [them] all with the affection of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:8). That passionate ache is mitigated by the joy coming from the certain knowledge that his work will result in a "crown" (4:1; Greek stephanos - a victor's crown, often associated with achievement and honour) when God rewards our service. "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

 

So, "let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel," (Philippians 1:27). "Be watchful, stand fast in your faith, be courageous, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13). "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1). Stand fast in the liberty that salvation provides. Don't become tangled up in the bondage of legalistic burdens . "For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:8).

Signs of the Everlasting Covenants

I have just completed the text of my fourth book in "The Faith" series. This one, that is now going out for proofreading, and endorsements, is entitled "Living the Faith", and is based on the Letter from James. There is, however, an Appendix on what is referred to as "Replacement Theology" or "Supersessionism". Preparing that, over recent weeks, has made me think a lot about Bible covenants and, in this post, I want to share on four of them.

The first mention of the key word "covenant" is in Genesis 6:18, where God promised to establish a covenant with Noah after the Flood. "I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you." 

This everlasting covenant was made with all the earth's future populations and is still in effect, symbolized continually by the beautiful rainbow arching through the sky after rain. "When the bow is in the clouds, I will look upon it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (Gen. 9:16)

Almighty God also made an everlasting covenant with Abraham and Isaac. "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." (Gen. 17:7-8). This time, the symbol of God's everlasting covenant between them and their descendants, the people of Israel, was that of circumcision, "You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you." (Gen. 17:11).

There is still another everlasting covenant with the Children of Israel. "I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts, that they may not turn from Me." (Jeremiah 32:40). These are just some of the covenants that Almighty God has made with the Children of Israel, and that confirm their right to the land that is now the State of Israel.

Finally, God has made this "new covenant" applicable to all of the saved and, this time, the sign of the covenant is nothing less than the precious blood of the Christ, shed on our behalf. "Now may the God of peace, Who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. " (Hebrews 13:20-21). 

Are you in that covenant relationship? If not, why not? If I may be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me at the e-mail address at the top of the page.

Confident praying.

I wonder how often you "pray"! Many do - but only in an emergency, or when they want something. I recall, when I was in the British Merchant Navy, and it had become known that I was a Christian, one fellow crew-member asking me to pray that such and such a horse would win a particular race, as he had bet a large sum of money on this happening! I may have been still very young in my faith, but even I knew that this was not the purpose of prayer!

John, in his first letter (see my book "Defending the Faith") writes: "And this is the confidence which we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us." (5:14). This is the classic conditional promise. Confidence in prayer is tied directly to the qualifier: "according to His will"!

It is, therefore, important that we "understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17).

Many surveys have verified that most people pray. However, all of those studies note that a good portion of the prayers are directed toward an unknown “higher power.” It may seem obvious, but the first requirement for coming under the will of Almighty God is to “believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus the Christ” (1 John 3:23). Before God will respond positively to our “petitions,” we must be “born anew” (John 3:3).

 

Jesus was once asked what the greatest command was. His response, quoting from Deuteronomy 6, was: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). That internal and invisible love of the heart is expressed by obedience to the commandments that God has given. John records it this way: “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (I John 5:3).

Thus, a simple formula appears. If we obey what God has commanded us (starting with faith in the saving work of Christ), then we are assured that God will hear us when we pray. Once our confidence is secured, we can know that God will respond to what we desired from Him. The psalmist states the formula like this: “Take delight in YHWH, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4). 

A new believer in a fellowship to which I once belonged, came to the meeting, very excited! He had just discovered that very verse. He quickly informed us of the "desires of his heart" for which he had asked. He had to have the clear condition pointed out to him - and also the fact that we need to ask in accordance with His will!

You wish to experience His answers - be they "Yes", "No", or "Wait"? Then delight in Him, and keep His commandments.

Charlie was not alone!

In my last English language post, I paid my personal tribute to the late Charlie Kirk - that fine young man of only 31 years of age, who was assassinated as he debated with University students in the State of Utah.

I have no idea as to exactly how much comment his assassination generated, but it was certainly a lot! However, as I typed that last post, I kept thinking of the murder of so many other people who are rarely mentioned, but who, like Charlie Kirk, are killed because they are disciples of the Lord Jesus. In their cases, that is all. No political aspect to "muddy the waters". They include young men, old men, young women, old women, and children. In their cases, the females, young and old, are often raped before they are murdered.

I am, of course, referring to what is generally known as "the persecuted church". According to the organisation Open Doors, almost 4,500 disciples of Jesus were killed, for their faith, last year.

This figure could well be exceeded for this year. It was on Sunday, 7th September, that Militant Fulani herders attacked two villages in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna state earlier this month, killing eight Christians and wounding nine others. Local resident Timothy Kimbe said herdsmen attacked Wakeh and Gadanaji villages in Kachia county in the early hours of that day. In neighbouring Plateau state herdsmen have attacked 11 villages in the Qua’an Pan area, burning more than 30 houses and displacing at least 300 Christians, since late August, sources said.

On the following day, another series of brutal attacks took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). At least 100 Christians have been killed, with hundreds more kidnapped.

Dozens were killed on Monday, 8th September, while attending a funeral in Ntoyo village, in North Kivu, in the east of the country. “They arrived and started killing. At this funeral place, they coldly murdered 26 Christians,” said Rev. Mbula Samaki. “Those who tried to flee were shot dead and others were killed with machetes.”  The devastating attack was carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an extremist Islamist group with links to so-called Islamic State.

Across the community, dozens more believers were killed in the same way over the course of two days. Rev. Mbula told an Open Doors local partner in a phone call: “The casualty count, as of now, stands at more than 70 Christians killed, at least 100 kidnapped, 16 houses, eight motorbikes and two vehicles burnt. It is horrible.” 

Pastor Paluku Nzalamingi, parish priest of Manguredjipa, shared with local news what he saw of the aftermath: “Women on mattresses in the living room… others in the corridor, still others outside in the plot. Some bodies are on the road, in plots close to the centre of Ntoyo. I was unable to count them. Most of them were shot dead.” 

The next morning the terrorist struck again in a nearby community, this time targeting Christian farmers. “The ADF arrived in Potodu,” says Pastor Paluku. “With machetes, they killed Christian farmers who were camped in their farms and those who were returning. It is a night of sadness and desolation for Christians.”At least 30 farmers were killed, though the true death toll may be even higher.

These are just two of the fifty, or so countries in which persecution takes place, to some extent, on a regular basis. Yet, these incidents never make the main news outlets in "the west"! If you are a praying person, please pray for those who suffer in these ways - simply because they own the Name of the Lord Jesus.