In the last 48 hours, the world has once again been shocked by activities of terrorists, this time in Kenya. People who went for weekend of shopping and relaxation, found themselves at the receiving end of wicked and terrible acts of a group of people who claim to be fighting a holy war.

 

Every time events like this happens, I ask the question, ‘How can someone kill innocent people, including women and children and claim that he is doing it as an act dedicated to God?
I have nothing against the Moslem religion, I believe anyone has the right to choose whichever way they want to serve God. However, it seems to me that the religion gives room for people to easily engage in acts of despicable wickedness and murder and ascribe their actions to God. In the world today, no other group of people under a religious umbrella has killed as much as those who claim to be Islamists.


Long before Jesus was born, the prophesy of  His birth was a declaration of peace on earth. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
When He was eventually born, His birth was proclaimed by angels, to the shepherds in the fields, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all men” (Luke 2:14)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about our relationship with others, even those who are our enemies; “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”
When Jesus was about completing His ministry here on earth, he declared to His disciples. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ( John 14:27)
Christianity clearly preaches peace – peace with God and peace with men. For those who choose the way of terror to please their god, clearly it cannot be the same God of peace that we serve as Christians.
What is happening in Kenya seem to have overshadowed the more serious terror attack in Pakistan. The Peshawar Church in Pakistan was hit by bomb explosions, triggered by suicide bombers on Sunday. 78 people died in the attack. These were people who went to worship God, attacked and killed by another set of people who claim to be fighting a holy war for god.
In every country where there are conflicts involving Islamists, they have always justified their murderous frenzies in the name of Allah. It shows very clearly, how depraved and wicked their minds are.

In John 17, Jesus prayed, not only for his disciples but for today’s church as well. “I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.”

The evil one is Satan himself. He will use anything to inflict pain and destruction on God’s people. However, we are encouraged and assured that He can only hurt the body but not the soul.

The Church will continue to march firmly and strongly until the day when her enemy is finally locked up for all eternity. In the meantime, we can only continue to fight the good fight of faith, standing firm and not allowing ourselves to be intimidated by the agents of the evil one.
Let those of us who live in the privileged societies of the world pray for  and support those who live where Satan has his throne ( Rev 2:13)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Pakistan and Kenya, as well as the families of those who lost their lives in the terror attacks. May the Lord comfort them in their hour of grief.

 

 

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the founder of  the Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He lives in Kent, United Kingdom, where he works as an IT Professional. He currently serves as a Worship Leader as well as Home Group Leader  in his local church and on occasion, speaks at invited events. He is the founder of the Biblepraise Fellowship Online Ministry and Moderator/Editor of the  Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address,  steve@biblepraise.org