"Persecution" in Nigeria

News report from Religion Today Summaries:


More than 40 Killed in Nigerian Church Attack

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that more than 40 people have been killed in the Nigerian city of Jos after Muslim youths attacked Christians near a Catholic Church. Around 200 Muslim youths claimed to gather yesterday to renovate a house next to St. Michael's Catholic Church, but allegedly launched an unprovoked assault on female passerby before attacks those in the church. The attacks escalated to torched houses, business, and other local churches. Angered by the violence, Christian youths gathered to launch a counter attack, and the violence soon spread to other areas of Jos North.

The history of "persecution" in Nigeria has simply been the history of the Christians there refusing to submit to authorities. When the ruling Muslims imposed their law, instead of submitting to it, they rioted and acted violently. And now there is a cycle of violence between the Christians and the Muslims there.

If the Christians really want God's deliverance, then they need to respond like Jesus-- in submission to the punishment that is given and then God will sweep in and take out the unjust authority-- Psalm 82. Vengeance is God's, not the Christians'. Let us give to God that which He demands for Himself.