Matthew 5:44-47 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Do not even pagans do that?
2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…
It is so easy to get caught up in religion that we completely miss out on and forget what it is that we are called to do as Christians: to go out, make disciples of all nations and baptizing them in Jesus’ name (Matthew 28:18-20). Who are we reaching or trying to reach outside of our “super-saved” circles? How much are we loving the “unlovable”? How many of us are turning the other cheek and loving those who absolutely hate us? We are to lead people to Christ, be His ambassadors, and to be lights in this dark world. Nothing drives home those sentiments for me more than the actions of a grieving family I met last year while I was on the other side of the world.
Last October, I had an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to India. Now if you know me, you know just how much this meant to me. I spent some time in Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India that though it is a lot smaller in geographic size compared to America (93,933 square miles vs USA’s 3.78 million square miles) it is pretty comparable to America in terms of population (204 million compared to USA’s 300 million). The country is beautiful, as well as the people I encountered there. I had gone over there with purpose of serving and I never imagined just how much I would be served by them in return.
The story of the family that I met has greatly impacted me. Being the only Christians in their area, this family was definitely in the minority amongst their neighbors. They welcomed us into their home that wasn’t much larger than a college dorm room. The family didn’t have a lot at all. Although they didn’t have much, they still shared with me and my companions from the little bit they did have. We were mere strangers just moments before, yet they lovingly welcomed us and made sure that we were comfortable and well taken care of. While they were serving us, they began to tell us of their son.
Their 5 year old son had passed away that previous July. He was a little boy that loved Jesus and was baptized when he was around 4 years old. Because of his faith in Jesus, that led to the rest of his family deciding to make Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior and they were baptized as well. The little boy passed away after a bout of vomiting that landed him in the hospital. Their non-Christian neighbors began ridiculing them saying that there was a curse on their family because they worship Jesus, and that is why their son died. They told that grieving family that they needed to stop worshipping Jesus. In response to their neighbors’ insults, the family didn’t retaliate. They didn’t revile them in return. What they wanted to do to their neighbors is what they had been doing the entire time that had been Christians–they wanted to share Jesus with them. Their desire, in the midst of that adversity, was to see their neighbors’ lives changed the same way theirs were. They wanted to evangelize, share Jesus Christ with them, and introduce them to the glory of His gospel. To me, that epitomizes the attitude that we as Christians are supposed to have. Their hearts were truly beautiful hearts that had been fully surrendered to God. As Christians we should have this same kind of heart–one that is much greater than the dark world that it is in.
When we are encountered with hatred, we should respond in love. Hearing them tell their story was like a mirror being placed in front of my face. How would I have responded if I were in the same situation? I honestly don’t think I’d respond as they had. Actually, I know I wouldn’t have responded as they had. They really inspired me to take a hard look at myself and my heart. I know I’m nowhere close to where God has designed for me to be and that I have a loooooong way to go. But being in the presence of people such as that Indian Christian family gives me so much hope and encouragement that though I’m not there yet, I can be. And I will.
The Christian life is a journey, not the destination. The destination is eternity in heaven, being in the presence of Jesus Christ. This Christian life is the journey there and we should bringing along as many people as we can, no matter how challenging it may be.