Responding to hate with good news

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The power of the Gospel can sweep away evil in our world

By Don Morris

ISIS, radical Islam, beheadings, terrorism, shootings, rampages, nuclear war threats, suicide bombers, genocide, Christian martyrs, Jews versus Palestinians, cop killings, revenge killings, gang warfare, death to America, flag burnings, degrading Sharia law mandates—the list could go on. There is so much violence and hatred in the world. It’s enough to make one want to run and hide in the hills.

Our world is in chaos. Atrocities that used to be isolated occurrences are now commonplace. Sometimes I feel like I’m regularly exposed to so much evil that I hardly even respond to it all anymore. I’m almost numb to hearing about the worst that people can do to other people. I don’t like the fact that hearing about Christians being murdered by the hundreds in the Middle East makes me sad but doesn’t necessarily elicit deep-down personal grieving. It should. What’s happening in much of the world these days is truly horrific.

These events are driven by one common thing: human sin. Paul says in Galatians 5:20 that some results of sin are “idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions.” It seems to me that our world is immersed in a fit of rage, dissention and discord.

You and I haven’t personally been exposed to the kind of persecution that much of the church around the world has endured. We didn’t wake up one day and discover that in order to survive for another day we must flee our homes, jobs and families. I also know, however, that persecution is a part of the deal when one declares, “Jesus is Lord.” In fact, I’m reminded quite often that Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” In all likelihood, as we look to the future, we can expect persecution of Christians to increase, perhaps even here in America.

I’m writing about this because I believe we have a unique historical opportunity to be part of spreading the gospel in the midst of incredible violence, hatred and persecution. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that we have entered a time in history when the power of the gospel will sweep across the planet in great movements of evangelism. It’s already happening in many places in the world. In droves, people are hearing about Jesus and responding.

Whether or not this also happens in North America is yet to be seen. There are many indications that God is indeed up to something amazingly incredible. I’m not alone in saying that the demonstration of the power of God is increasing right here in America. I believe we have a window of witnessing God’s blessing over the coming years—prior to Jesus coming with the clouds. (Rev. 1:7) We must do all we can to bring the good news to people all across the U.S.—while there is still time!

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