Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Killed in the Line of Duty

The bullet-riddled body of South Korean Christian pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, killed by Muslim extremists in Afghanistan, was found last Wednesday, the day he would have turned 42. His brother told reporters his funeral would be delayed until the other hostages returned to South Korea.

South Korean Christians are a wonderful group of people. They take being Christian very seriously. It defines who they are an what they do.

And so, many have gone to Afghanistan to help with reconstruction and, presumably, to quietly witness to their faith. (Have you noticed -- the West views it as wrong to witness to the Christian faith in Muslim countries, but right to witness to the Islamic faith in so-called Christian countries?)

A second brave Korean brother in Christ has now reportedly been killed.

Are they martyrs? I'm not sure what the technical definition of a martyr is, but they were certainly killed for being and doing what they are -- Christians.

Do secularists bother going to Afghanistan and other needy spots to provide aid? Do militant atheists bother? On the whole, no. And, if they do go, it is usually when someone else -- like western governments -- is paying. Christians go, and pay their own way.

Having gone and been killed in the line of duty, two dear brothers are now in the arms of Jesus, having run the race and finished the course. A crown of life is laid up for them.

Thank God for South Korean Christians.

"Father, we thank you for the South Korean Christians who exhibit the sweet savour of Christ, who bear witness to the One whose scars bear witness to his suffering for them. The Scripture says that "if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him". Help us to remember that suffering for Christ is part of our holy calling. We thank you for each one who is witnessing to You in the world today. We pray that you would bless them with your presence, that you would strengthen them and make them fearless. We remember Daniel, and pray that in your sovereign will you would deliver those who are in peril.

Lord, we wait and look for the Day when evil is quashed and Christ's reign on earth is begun. Our hearts pull at You now, and ask you to come quickly. You are wanted and needed here. Forgive us our sins. Lord, come and help us now."

TJC. Amen.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for this post, and for all your posts.
You are a lifeline to so much info, I cannot absorb it all.
Thank you for your prayer, it is my prayer, too.
I am so glad the Holy Spirit prays for me, I certainly am not able to pray for all the evil going on in this Earth.
Betty G

BallBounces said...

boopchile -- thank you for this post, and for every post you make.

"May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen us and pour out His holy Spirit upon the earth. May principalities and powers be dislodged and defeated by his mighty power.

I join with boopchile in saying, "Father, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

May you bless her and her family at this time as they look in unison to You, and, like baby robins to their mother, as they open their mouths to You that you might fill them with the bread of Life.

Lord, hear our prayers offered on this embattled and wounded earth in the fragrant name of Jesus, Amen."

"... nothing intellectually compelling or challenging.. bald assertions coupled to superstition... woefully pathetic"