ISIS, also known as the Islamic State has been the talk of nations, politicians, and news outlets over the past weeks and months. However, the conversation has been amped up recently with threat after threat arising, and multiple deaths and kidnappings of Christians. The magnitude of evil ISIS displays is breathtaking, and causes me to weep. As a Christian, I’ve never been on my knees more, as I’ve been praying for my persecuted Christian brothers and sisters.The question of “What Can a Christian Do about Isis” has been haunting me as I’ve been wrestling through how I, as a comfortable Christian in America can appropriately respond to Isis and my persecuted brothers and sisters overseas in a Godly manner.

“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”

– William Wilberforce

We’ve all seen the pictures of 21 Coptic Christians being marched to their death on a beach and beheaded. Those images will stay with us for the rest of our lives, and serve as a visible reminder of the sufferings that others are facing.

So, what can a Christian do about Isis?

Do Not Be Surprised!

We shouldn’t be surprised when we are persecuted for our faith. Christ set the example for us by picking up His cross and walking up a hill to die. As Christians, we are commanded to follow in His footsteps, to pick up our crosses, suffer, and die if necessary. Not all of us will be called to die for our faith, some of us will, but the fact that we are called to suffer with Christ shouldn’t come as a shock. Allow 1 Peter 4:12-13 to serve as a reminder.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as through something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christi’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

 1 Peter 4:12-13

Be bold and courageous.

Christians across the world are willing to die for their faith. May we never become so comfortable that we think that this couldn’t happen to us. There may be a day where we have a knife held to our throat and we’re faced with a decision. Renounce Christ or die. Let the examples of the faithful men and women encourage your heart. Don’t shy away from boldly and courageously proclaiming God’s love and justice. According to Romans 2:6, “He will render to each one according to his works.” Justice will be served for those who don’t repent and trust God for their salvation. 

Raise Our Voices

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

We march on. We fight until our last breath. We fight for good, we fight for God’s glory, and we fight to defeat evil.  We remember that we are not fighting for victory. Victory has already been won on the cross. Evil does not have the last word, evil does not win. God has already won.

Be a William Wilberforce or a Dietrich Bonhoeffer who saw the injustices of their day and said, “Enough is enough, not on my watch will this evil go on any longer.”

Raise your voice for something that matters. Raise it in prayer. Cry out on behalf of your brothers and sisters. Do something that will have eternal impact. You may not be called to die physically at the hands of a terrorist, but you are called to speak up for the evils and injustices, spread the Gospel, and be an accurate picture of Christ to the world.

We love.

No one is beyond the reach of God’s love or forgiveness. No one.

God interrupted Paul’s life. Paul was a terrorist before he became an apostle, and one of the most prolific writers of the Bible. Read Acts 7 and 8 for a firsthand glimpse into how Saul (later Paul) treated Christians, including Stephen, the first record of a martyr. “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem…but Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.” – Acts 8:1,3

God met Saul on the road to Damascus, and the encounter forever changed his life. As Christians, we are commanded to fiercely love one another (John 13:35). Godly love means speaking the whole truth to a person, that without repenting and accepting Christ as their personal Savior, that they are on their way to hell. Truly loving another person means speaking the hard things, and making sure they understand the reality. Love people. Christ loved to death. Literally. He knew His blood was the only thing that would atone for God’s wrath pointed at sinners. Because of his perfect life, death and resurrection, anyone who repents and places their trust in Him will be saved from hell and ultimate evil.

“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.”

– William Wilberforce