Recently Christian apologist Wintery Knight made the claim that Iran is a threat. To America, Iran is a threat because it possesses the power to take lives and cause suffering. But, is Iran a threat to Christians?
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
Christians place their hope in Jesus, the one who has conquered death. Death holds no power over us. It causes us no fear.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Neither do we fear suffering.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Indeed, we are blessed and rejoice in the midst of our sufferings.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
But there is one we need to fear: God.
“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”
The people of Iran need Jesus more than we Christians need our lives or our things. We have no greater duty than to fulfill the Great Commission:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
And we must never forget that…
“…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
We mourn when our non-Christian brothers and sisters suffer or die. We strive to prevent it.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Every life is precious. We do not want to lose our lives or suffer. We want to live in peace and prosperity. We do so when we can, but we accept when we can’t. We are called to follow our Lord in saying…
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
…and…
“…your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Iran can take our lives, but it is no threat. It holds no power over us. Rather, it is a country full of people who need Jesus. We must show—by our good deeds—why Jesus is the way to life.