A View from the Fields, April 2004

03.30.2004

You have undoubtedly heard that four of our missionaries serving in Iraq were murdered. The fifth one, Carrie McDonnall, is the wife of one of the murdered missionaries, and is in critical condition in a hospital in Germany. The names of the four who died are David, Carrie’s husband, Karen Watson, and Larry and Jean Elliott.

It is a tragedy, for both families who lost loved ones and for the Iraqi people. The reason the missionaries were there was to help provide pure drinking water for the Iraqi people.

I can’t help but point out the vast contrast between the way our missionaries and the terrorists look at the world. Both desire to go to their own definition of “Paradise.” But notice how differently each plans to get to “Paradise.” The missionaries put their faith in Jesus’ atoning death to pay for their sins and receive Heaven as a gift of God’s grace. The four missionaries gave their lives trying to “give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.” They were intent on helping the needy. The motivation behind their loving, going and giving was in response to Jesus loving and giving his life for them.

Not so with the terrorists. Their way of getting to their “paradise” is not to help people, but to hurt people. A sure way for them (they believe) to get to paradise is to kill and be killed in the pursuit of their cause.

I hope you see the stark contrasts in world views. It is a love motivation versus a hate motivation. It is the difference between light and darkness. But please note, both Christians and terrorists alike are intent on giving their lives for their cause.

Who do you think will win out in this struggle for the hearts of people worldwide?

I Corinthians 13:8 says, “love never fails…” and I Corinthians 1:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Love will win out. My prayer is that Iraq, which is held in the grip of the Muslim faith, will soon be open to the proclamation of the gospel of grace which is about the Prince of Peace – King Jesus!

See you on the Lord’s Day.

Jim

Posted by at 06:25 PM