Out of the Darkness

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

– James 1:2–3

According to Christianity Today’s 2022 report on Christian persecution, our brothers and sisters in faith are being targeted worldwide — particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Christ-followers in Nigeria account for about 80% of martyrdoms, and 60% of church attacks happen in China. And it’s likely no surprise that Afghanistan, in the wake of the U.S. military’s withdrawal from that country, has replaced North Korea as the most difficult nation for following Jesus.

But religious persecution isn’t isolated to faraway lands. In Canada, the passage of Bill C-250 criminalized parts of the Bible that seemingly expose certain classes of people to “hatred and ridicule.” Bill C-4, a Canadian law that passed in January, describes some aspects of Christian morality as a “myth.” And in the United States, which has a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing freedom of religion, Christian business-owners face thousands of dollars in government fines and other penalties for the crime of adhering to Bible-based standards.

Christ-followers shouldn’t be shocked by such unsettling news. In fact, let’s consider the following admonition from the apostle Peter — biblical guidance that’s just as applicable now as it was nearly 2,000 years ago:

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Peter adds that “… those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” So, how can we do that amidst our current adversities? It’s in troubling times like these that we should also remember these words from Jesus:

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

What does he mean by light? It’s really that “spark” or inner power that God grants each Christ-follower for demonstrating his goodness through their words and deeds. We might show it by running a much-needed errand for an elderly neighbor. Or volunteering to manage a co-worker’s project when he or she is struggling to finish an earlier assignment. Or it might involve cleaning up a community park, buying groceries for a shut-in, or visiting the residents of an assisted living center. Ultimately, it’s about tangibly living out our faith.

From the earliest Christ-followers to their 21st century counterparts, Believers live in dark times marked by persecutions both far and near. But it’s because of this darkness that many outside our faith are recognizing their own plight — as well as their need for answers and a brighter future. Let’s therefore turn our faith into light by accepting Jesus’ invitation to help brighten this dark, dying world that’s so much in need of our Savior’s guidance, truth, and love.