World News Through the Third Lens: What values Are Being Defended in the Afghan War?

"High-level Interests? Afghan Christian convert's case may be the subject of a U.S. meeting" reads the November 30, 2010 banner to a by-line by Mindy Belz of World Magazine.

"The case of Afghan Sayad Mossa, who has been in a Kabul jail since May 31 allegedly for converting from Islam to Christianity, will be the subject of a meeting between Gen. David Petraeus and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, according to legal counsel who arrived in Kabul this week to assist the 45-year old Mossa."

Belz goes on to state in her article that there have been a number of conflicting reports concerning Mossa's case, who had just last week been able to secure legal representation through Advocates International, a faith-based association with 25,000 attorneys in 130 countries. Belz quoted the prosecutor in charge of western Kabul, Din Mohammad Quraishi, as saying that Mossa and another prisoner, Ahmad Shah, are being detained and charged with apostasy: "They are accused of conversion to another religion, which is a crime under Islamic law. If proved, they face the death penalty or life imprisonment."

The article goes on to point out the tenuous situation in Afghanistan, the touchy issues already on the table following Karzai's criticism of NATO troops and the recent leaks from Wikileaks revealing the US's raw frustration with corruption within the Karzai government.

Through the third lens of Scripture: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you." (Matthew 5:11-12). "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony: they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11). How easy it is to post those Scriptures from the comfort of my office. Nobody is persecuting me today because of the profession of my faith in Jesus the Christ. Yet the day is not over, and because I am about to encourage all Believers through this blog to get ready for what may be in our lifetime a time of widespread persecution of Christians, I expect some to be repelled by the message. However, I am compelled, not by a desire to be liked by everyone, but only to hear my Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," to speak what I know to be the truth on what are often disturbing subjects.

There is a mixed message in this country as to whether the church is gaining in influence and popularity or whether the opposite is true. I suppose the answer could depend on your definition of the church: is it the institution with its outward appearance or is it those who have experienced the new birth and have chosen to walk the narrow road that leads to life? Certain segments of the visible church have demonstrated a continuing willingness to go along with political correctness so as to get along with the powers that be. Homosexuality has been redefined from a moral abomination to a legitimate alternative (and thus a civil right); marriage has been redefined from "one man-one woman-for life" to (well....we've already started down the slippery slope so there's no telling where it will end). To stand up for the sanctity of life or biblical marriage will always invite persecution from somewhere.

And now to speak ill of Islam, or our country's ominous war on terrorism is to probably walk on thin ice also. So be it. How can there be any question that our presidents have gotten it wrong when they label Islam as a "religion of peace?" Virtually every nation on the planet where Islam is in the majority, Christians are persecuted to some degree or another. How could the United States of America, with its Constitution (including the First Amendment) expend so many resources (including human lives where are of inestimable value) to free a country from Taliban rule, only to replace it with a government set up to persecute Christians? What values are our service men and women putting their lives on the line to defend? Could it be a portent of things to come where, even in the USA, all manner of religious expression other than Christian is protected? The best way to prepare for and yes, even prevent such an eventuality is to speak and live biblical truth now, at every opportunity.

Be encouraged in Christ!