PERSECUTION – “RULES OF ENGAGEMENT”

at April 5, 2025

Life, as we live it, has many ways of approach to it. In this regard, how we conduct ourselves as Christians, as against people of other religions, becomes an important point. Our attitudes and our approach can either give rise to conflict, or to communal harmony. If we take a confrontational stand, by raising the negative points of other religions, as our primary focus of communicating Jesus, then it will result in conflict. It will be a far better approach, in being the ambassadors of Christ the Messiah, if we take a conversational approach, where we focus on presenting the Saviour, His gospel, and its significance and relevance towards, the sin and the salvation of human beings, than pointing out the negatives of the other religions. In this regard, what the LORD our God is asking from us, becomes very important. We not only need to know, what our Master is asking from us, but also, follow it faithfully and obediently.

Let us see what the Bible says about how we should conduct ourselves in relation to the world, its people and the different religions.
– “23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” – 2 Timothy 2:23
– “12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” – 1 Corinthians 6:12

– “23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

As I understand from what Paul says in the above verses, and the way he conducted himself, as a missionary, preaching the gospel, in the then known gentile world, is of paramount importance to us, and how we conduct ourselves in the world today. He was sensitive, compassionate, non-confrontational, and always picked the common point as his reference point to start his presentation. This is clear in Paul’s encounter at the Mars Hill conversation – Acts 17:22-23. Yet, in this, Paul was absolutely uncompromising, and completely true to the gospel, and his calling, to be a missionary to the gentiles. This is the way I see Paul and his approach – compassionate and yet, uncompromising.

There may be many things wrong in other religions. However, we are not called nor commissioned to speak about the faults in other religions. That is not our business, because it is a futile and wasteful approach, if we wish to present the gospel, and the salvation, which is available, only in the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth. In simpler words, as I understand, it is staying true to the task entrusted, staying focused on fulfilling our responsibility, and not getting diverted, nor digress from our primary calling, responsibility, and the task given. What is the task and our responsibility entrusted to us, by God?
– “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” – Mark 16:15-16

Yes we can, and should discuss, with everyone and anyone, who is sincere, truthful and eager to know the truth, about sin, salvation and the Saviour. Let us not waste our time, in vain discussions, that will consume our precious time, our energy, and divert us from the primary, and the only responsibility, entrusted to us by our LORD. 

We are not here to convince someone, nor argue or debate with someone. We are here merely to proclaim, as does the herald, who announces the arrival of the king, or an important dignitary. Whether people heed to that announcement or not, is not our concern. The King will take care of it.
– “8 And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” – John 16:8
– “17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” – John 3:17-18

May we be wise and judicious in how we go about our lives, and discharge our responsibility, entrusted to us, by our LORD. May we be found focussing on it, and working on it. Even so the LORD help us.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

An army chaplain once said to the Duke of Wellington, ‘Do you think that it is of any use our taking the gospel to the hill tribes in India? Will they ever receive it?’ The duke replied, ‘What are your marching orders?’ That was the only answer he gave. Stern disciplinarian as that great soldier was, he only wanted marching orders, and he obeyed; and he meant that every soldier of the cross must obey the marching orders of Christ, his great Commander.

– – Charles H. Spurgeon