God came down and made a statement that shook the depths of mankind. The hope of Christmas. It’s what we celebrate. Santa Claus can’t contend for this throne no matter how many times we try to put him on it. God has done something much more important than bringing toys to kids on the “nice list.”
I’m sure you would agree: the why is usually more intriguing than the what. It’s true in business, in church, in family, you name it. So what was God’s why for coming down? Well, it was because, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God loves the world. He loves you. He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but for all to have eternal life. Oh, how similar this is to what Peter said, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). And let’s not forget about Paul, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight ofGod our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
The Hope of Christmas and ISIS
So, what’s the connection between the hope of Christmas and ISIS? God desires the people in ISIS to come to repentance, to have eternal life, to come to the knowledge of the truth. But do you? Or are you too busy promoting their destruction over their salvation?
The hope of Christmas is that God has displayed His lavish grace on the entire world, and yes, that includes those in ISIS.
I don’t know who you think you follow, but if you follow Jesus, you follow a guy (who was also God) who told his followers to pray for their enemies, to deny the urge of retaliating, to love all, to be light in a dark world, to be salt in a world that is passing away, to take up a cross, to go to the ends of the earth and be His witnesses.
How Well Are We Loving Our Enemies?
You may have heard sermons on loving your enemies and praying for them. It’s what we’re called to do. But how often do we think of our difficult co-worker as our enemy, or a friend who stabbed us in the back as our enemy? That’s not too difficult to love those people, at least when you do a comparison with a group of people who desire to destroy you and whose desire comes from deep-seated religious belief. When was the last time you specifically prayed for the repentance and heart change of those in ISIS?
I don’t know when I did last. But I’m about to make a change. And I want to invite you to join me. Most of you who read this probably won’t take me up on the offer, but that’s okay. I’m sure Jesus didn’t have a lot of people excited about praying for their enemies in the first Century either. After all… They killed Him.
All I’m doing here is asking you to join me in something that Jesus has already commanded us to do. Crazy thought, right?
An Invitation to Pray for ISIS
While our American culture debates on how to eliminate ISIS and the people within it, allow us to follow Jesus. Let’s make it a point to pray for those in ISIS every day. They desire to destroy you and me. I would say that qualifies them as an enemy. So let’s heed Jesus’ command:
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5)
So, will you join me in this ridiculous endeavor? We follow a ridiculously gracious God who would come down from His throne for the world, not just you. So, would you join me in partnering with God or will you continue opposing His will in this context? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
Join me in praying for those in ISIS today.
