Can We Stay On Our Half?

A MEDITATION FOR THE ADVENT SEASON
Can We Stay On Our Half?

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’ Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’” Luke 1:30-34 NKJV

Nigeria is a land of contrasts – a jump-cut of both promise and pain. Situated in the heart of Africa, rich in oil and heavily populated, it is also deeply divided.

In the south, where the country’s natural resources are abundant, Christianity is growing rapidly. In the north, where poverty is greatest, Islam is on the rise. In fact, several states have already adopted Islamic law. This division has created a polarized society and is increasingly leading to religious violence.

It is easy to celebrate the blessings of Nigeria, but how should those of us who follow Christ address our nation’s challenges? More specifically, in a country where land is being contested – and where religious wars litter the streets with dead bodies – how are we to understand the Great Commission? How do we proclaim the Prince of Peace when doing so almost certainly leads to violence?

This is not a hypothetical question. When the fanatical arm of Islam believes that a majority of people in an area have become Muslims – or even that their numbers are close to a majority – they declare Islamic law in that region. This often means that the rights of women are rescinded, music is banned and thieves have their hands cut off. It also means that it is illegal to share the gospel, and that Muslims who convert to Christianity are to be put to death.

How are we to respond to those laws when love compels us to tell everyone about Christ? How are we to respond to physical attacks and land-grabs from those who do not know Him?

In recent years hundreds of Christians, especially pastors, have been killed and many church properties have been destroyed. As I write this, the news carries reports of more violence and death in the northeast part of my country. How are we to respond?

In Luke 1, Mary was confronted by an angel and told that she would give birth to the Son of God. When this happened she asked, “How can this be?” As Nigerians we ask the same question: “How can this be?” How can we reach people who are unrepentant and violently resistant to the gospel? How can the kingdom that will have no end ever be established among people who neither recognize nor believe in the deity and redemptive mission of Jesus Christ? How can we Nigerian Christians love people who kill our family members and friends, and who destroy our buildings and property?

The answers to these questions are found in Christ – both in His words and in His methods. But they require great study, great patience and great prayer. In Nigeria, Advent is a period of reflection. During this time, Christians in general and church leaders in particular review their calling and discuss new ways of spreading the gospel.

Will you pray for my country and its leaders during Advent? Ask God’s Holy Spirit to guide us. We need His love to overshadow us so that we might be His ambassadors in our land of promise and pain.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After placing his faith in Christ, Remi Lawanson began serving as a tentmaker. He and his wife Ruth have been spearheading church planting throughout Nigeria and ten other African and Middle-Eastern countries. They were also instrumental in establishing the Stewardship & Accountability Commission in the Association of Evangelicals in Africa and training many Christian leaders in biblical leadership, stewardship and resource development.

END NOTE
This article is reprinted by permission from Hope For A Despairing World, CISF (Christian International Scholarship Foundation), Lake Forest, Illinois, 2003.