Headlines: ISIS burn 19 Yazidi girls to death in iron cages after they refused to have sex with jihadists; The Syrian opposition drain the blood of Christians they behead and sell vials to Islamic radicals; ISIS cut out healthy captives’ kidneys and corneas and drain their blood for transplants; 74 children executed by ISIS for ‘crimes’ that include refusal to fast during Ramadan.
The scream in my head was probably loud enough to hear. “These people aren’t humans. They are animals!” Yet, I felt an immediate check in my spirit. Later that day I shared the thought with my wife—again a check in my spirit. The following morning in my devotional time the Holy Spirit reminded me: God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Gen 1:27) and spoke to my spirit, “The terrorist act like wild animals, but they are still humans created in the image of God.” My anger was justified because everyone should be angry over the atrocities taking place around the world. However, no matter how twisted or hidden God’s image is or how horrendous their sins are, Christ also died for them and God desires that they receive His gift of salvation and forgiveness of their sins. God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6).
Researching further, I began finding headlines like these. ISIS Jihadist Converts to Christianity After Seeing Jesus in His Dreams; ISIS Leader Turns from Terrorism to Follow Jesus; ISIS Trainer Turns to the Bible, ‘Sick of the Killing’; Christian Today Magazine reports, An ISIS militant, who had pretended to be a refugee in order to kill people, converted to Christianity after seeing the “love of Christians” at the camps. Some reports are mere hoax, but the above are from responsible sources.
All terrorism is a manifestation through men of the absolute hatred and wickedness of Satan towards God and His creation. Jesus death on the cross to pay their debt of sin and save them out of pits of the devil’s evil is a manifestation of God’s love. John wrote a scripture I memorized in Bible College and it still amazes me today as I continue to behold (see, observe, and perceive) His love. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God (1 Jn 3:1 KJV).
Dr. Ralph Winters, a world-renowned missiologist said in an International Conference I attended, that God could use war as a doorway for the Gospel to unreached people. That is proving true among Muslims today. Multitudes in Middle East nations, risking death, are receiving Christ. They testify they are disillusioned with the hatred and want to know the truth. A harvest among Muslims converts to Christianity is taking place as never before in history. One man raised as a devout Muslim converted to Christianity and has planted 50 churches. Refugee camps reports that thousands are converting to Christianity. One church in Germany says that it is overwhelmed with over 600 converts who began attending their services. It is estimated that, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity every day. Since the Day of Pentecost, Satan has tried eradicating the spread of Christianity by persecution and martyrdom. However, as the 2nd-century Church Father Tertullian wrote that “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
After I get up, drink by coffee, and scan through the headlines, I check my blood pressure before I eat. This morning I thought that maybe I should check my blood pressure before I read the news. It is easy to get overwhelmed in our world today seeing and reading so much bad news and chaos. Jesus cautioned, Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold (Mat 24:12). However, God is in total control moving forward in His plan of redemption. Despite all the disturbing reports from secular news organizations, God is utilizing these troubling events, as a means of spreading the Gospel to people that are prisoners of hatred through false teaching.
I asked forgiveness for calling them “animals”. Although they act like wild animals, all men are created in the image of God and Jesus died on the cross that the even the worst of the worst could be saved. Paul, a first century terrorist, described himself as the worst of sinners. He had ravaged the church and dragged off men and women to prison. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. Years later, he wrote to Timothy “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! (1 Tim 1:15 NIV).
Sustaining Word for the Week: No matter how twisted or hidden God’s image is or how horrendous people’s sins are, no one is beyond the love of God and His forgiveness through Christ’s completed work.