I was reading the news on the internet this morning when I came across a story that caught my attention. A government minister in Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti, had been gunned down and killed in a car outside his parent’s house in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city, by al-Qaida and Taliban terrorists. This was the only Christian in Pakistan’s federal Cabinet, so the loss is devastating it would seem to the minority Christians in Pakistan looking for a voice in government policy and direction.
Of course this news is bleak and saddens our hearts to grief for our Christian brothers and sisters in this persecuted portion of our world, but it is a reminder of what is required of good soldiers of the cross. By every indication Bhatti expected this assassination and prepared for it. He is a modern example of laying down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13, 1 John 3:16). As early church father Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” He in fact was right. The Bible gives us the picture of “the seed” in reference to our resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, a great chapter I hope you will dig into for strength, comfort, and hope.
It is my prayer that the Lord will move in this horrific situation to bring Himself glory and for the saving of many souls in Pakistan and the regions that surround this maligned country. We need to band together in prayer and support for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Love will conquer all and this situation has the potential to give more people freedom of expression and faith. Let’s pray that it does.
For further information regarding this story check out:
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/02/gunmen-kill-christian-pakistani-government-minister-shahbaz-bhat/. There is a video on the right hand side of the page.
Have a blessed day in Christ Jesus! He is our only Hope!
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