By Jerry Dykstra
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44-45).
This is a very difficult command to follow, especially when Christians are considered the most persecuted faith group in the world.
Since the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood and Mohammad Morsi from power in Egypt six weeks ago, there has been a backlash against Christians across the country, according to World Watch Monitor. Christians have been killed, including a 10-year-old Christian girl walking home from Bible class on a street in Cairo, and Christian shops, churches and homes burned.
In Syria, civil war has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives. The conflict between President Bashar al-Assad and the rebel forces has driven thousands of Christians into temporary shelters either inside the country or in horrid refugee camps in bordering countries. Some jihadist rebels are specifically targeting believers, including kidnapping of Christians.
Boko Haram, an Islamist terrorist organization which wants to spread strict Sharia Law throughout Nigeria, continues its mayhem in northern Nigeria. The group has pursued both Christians and moderate Muslims. Over the past few months Boko Haram has directed its attacks on schools, which has resulted in the death of dozens of innocent children.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Christians are also under siege in places such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea and Pakistan.