Relief for ALL the People of Northern Iraq

Christ Covenant will be joining with the other congregations of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to provide relief for all the people affected by the atrocities of ISIS in Northern Iraq.  Click Here to learn more or become involved.

By “all,” I mean “all:” the Christians, the Yazidi, the Kurds and even the Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims who suffer when standing up to ISIS.  Let me explain why.

Anyone should recognize a natural affinity of faith in Jesus that we share with the Christians of Northern Iraq.  There are differences in history, culture and expression certainly, but we all affirm the Apostles’ Creed and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.  It’s only natural that we would be ready to step up for brothers and sisters in the faith.  Even when the brothers and sisters are a bit different from us.

But our efforts to provide relief to all people in the face of this tragedy reflect the nature of the Gospel that makes us Christians in the first place.  That makes Gospel-centered faith and the life that grows from it, different and distinctive from other religions and world-views, including the “moralistic Churchianity” that characterizes so much of the United States.

We believe that the Triune God Who both rules the world and redeems the world is the Lord of all people.  Jesus was resurrected to ransom people from every tribe, tongue and nation.  Even those persons who reject and disobey Him are only “rebellious or distant subjects.”  Consider this: The fact that I want to kill the King, does not mean that I am any less His subject!    And the Gospel says that we are all His subjects and can be objects of His mercy, even though we begin as rebellious subjects.

Because of that, we go to all people bringing what is most needed. It’s called the Great Commission and given to us by Jesus Himself in  Matthew 28:18.  In the case of the people of Northern Iraq, we’re bringing BOTH bread for the body and the Bread of Life.  That is the Gospel of Jesus.

I understand and deeply regret that church people have not always realized this or been faithful to it through the ages.  But in those times and places where faith in the Gospel has shined brightest and been purest, we can see this recognition lived out: That the God Who has loved us in Jesus, has a love and purpose for all nations.

In the 4th century, the Roman Emperor Julian attempted to establish a revival of Greek pagan worship in the face of the swelling tide of Christian conversions and growth.  He hated and persecuted believers but he recognized one thing about them.  In a letter he wrote:

The impious Galileans [the name given by Julian to Christians] support our poor in addition to their own; everyone is able to see that our coreligionists are in want of aid from us.

Lord Jesus, may it be so of your people once again.