But on this past Sunday, a real-life act of incredible violence came upon a Christian church as some 600 members were exiting their service. All Saints Church in Pakistan had just concluded when two Islamic suicide bombers set off their sinister and deadly hardware. The blast killed approximately 100, many of whom were women and young children. Another 150 were badly wounded and will carry with them the emotional and physical scares for a life-time. It is reported that some entire families were together wiped out. The victims of the slaughter were buried in three mass graves on Sunday night. The attack was the single deadliest on Christians in the history of the country according to the U.S.-based organization International Christian Concern.
Why is this so considering that Christianity's head never remotely suggested, hinted or sanctioned that any be persecuted or killed in His name? And why would His love and sacrifice be a cause for anger, mocking or even extreme violence? What is it that separates the Christian faith from all others and makes it the acceptable target it obviously is?
The answer to that question begins and ends with two connected words, both of which start with the letter C. It is all about Christ, and it is all about His cross. In Philippians 2:7-11 the writer records, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This should be good news, should it not? It was Christ and His cross that made salvation and heaven a reality and a possibility for all. But that same news is also highly “exclusive” and therefore makes it highly explosive! When Scripture confirms that Christ is a name above all others, and that all will someday admit who He is and what He did, a match is quickly struck and directly tossed into the religious kerosene.
The Bible contends that the symbol of the cross itself is seriously offensive in Galatians 5:11. That is because it clearly convicts man of his sin and of God’s exclusive demand that he deal with it and how. While the cross is the ultimate act of a loving God, it again tends to irritate or anger those who chose to reject it for the reason best spelled out in 1 Corinthians 1:18. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” And it is when people are told they must respond positively to something they view as utter foolishness, the reaction will typically be negative – sometimes to the level just witnessed in Pakistan.
We cannot look into the hearts and motives of those who brutally murdered and assaulted scores of Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord. But we can look directly into the heart of our Lord and see exactly how He lived and what He taught in His word.
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21)
Pray for God’s grace for the survivors of the Pakistan attack and other assaults that will inevitably follow. And pray, as difficult as it may be, for those whose response to the Christ’s offer of forgiveness through His cross is hatred and violence - some of the many wrong things He came to make right!
Bill Breckenridge
