Why I Dare Love Isis.
I am heartbroken by the recent activities that have occurred in the past week. The attack on Paris was vicious and against humanity. My heart breaks for the people who lost a loved one, those who endured this terror, and those who caused this attack.
You might ask “How on earth can you love Isis?” Well, because at one point I was blind but, now I see. I was lost but, now I am found. How will they know if no one dares to tell them, to show them? How can we condemn them when Jesus himself didn’t come to condemn the world but bring hope and salvation?
John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but, to save the world through Him”
Yes, they have persecuted and killed so many of our brothers and sisters. Young and old alike my heart breaks but we have this hope they are rejoicing in the presence of our King.
Isis: a group of people who the world has deemed unlovable. Most have taken the role of judge and have condemned them to hell. Most don’t pray, most don’t share, most don’t love, and most definitely lack all compassion towards them. Christians are losing their sight of what being a Christian really means. We are called to be the light of the world to bring hope to the nations, to every tongue, and to every tribe. Matthew 5:14-16 “14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Who are we to pick and choose who is good and bad? I am not taking away from what they have done and I can’t begin to describe how much that breaks my heart.
Have we forgotten what God did with Paul?
Acts 9:1-5 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5. “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.”
Saul, who God called Paul, was the persecutor of the church. He raised havoc; he imprisoned and murdered God’s people. Yet, he became one of God’s disciples boldly proclaiming the gospel wherever he went. We see a Saul but, we can’t fathom the thought of them being a Paul. “They are too evil to be saved.” I wonder where we too far gone for God to freely give us grace? Where we too stained to be washed by the blood that shed on the cross? God tells us to love our enemies. Our enemies, we have picked who we CAN and CANNOT love. Matthew 5:44 says “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
On Friday 13th my heart not only broke for the victims but, also for those who committed the attacks. Who will go and show them? Who will go and tell them? Have we gotten on our knees and prayed for their salvation? Have we prayed that they taste and see the goodness of the Lord?
Jesus hanging on the cross: “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots” Luke 23:34 No condemnation in his words, “Forgive them for they not know what they are doing”
I felt led to write this, because I have read and seen too many hateful words towards Isis from both believers and non-believers and that breaks my heart. It may be that I have a soft heart. I have been told “You’re too nice” I have been told “You see the good in everyone” maybe it is true. Maybe in my own little head they are never too far out of reach to be saved. But, my God didn’t give up on me. He didn’t give up on you. Why should we give up on them?
I know how hard it is to forgive the unforgivable. I have been there. I have been on the side to forgive the unforgivable. It isn’t easy but, it isn’t impossible. You may sit there and read this and think I am crazy but, I wonder how many people thought Jesus was crazy. We are called to be the salt of the earth, to love like Jesus loved, to be compassionate, to be holy, and to be Christ like though we can never be Christ. I will dare love Isis. I will be on my knees for them. I see a Saul and I pray the day will come when those Saul’s will become a Paul. I know it can happen and I believe it will and the people of the earth will be amazed.
This is the hardest thing I have written but, to me this is the most important. Let us not see them with our own eyes but, let us see with the eyes of the Lord. For our fight is not against flesh and bone but, against the spiritual forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:12 “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
