Disaster or Opportunity?

The news lately has been saturated with stories of migrants from Moslem countries flooding Europe and North America as they re-locate from their homes and countries where ISIS reigns. Many nations are complaining about this immigration into their countries. But what should Christians think about it? Could it be an opportunity rather than a disaster?

As we well know it was very hard to evangelize in Muslim countries. The door has pretty much been closed to Christian missionaries. If anyone does go, it is with much danger. Some missionaries are not even able to disclose their location to friends and in public venues in order to protect their lives. Some of these countries are the most dangerous countries to live in as a Christian.

We know that God is in charge of everything that is happening in this world. Remember, God "removeth kings and setteth up kings". (Daniel 2:21)

What if we look at the scenario happening in Europe and our country in a positive way? As Christians, we now have an opportunity to bring Christ to the Moslem much more easily than ever before. Instead of seeing the influx of Muslim immigrants as a disaster for the western world, we should look at it as an opportunity to show the love of Christ to those people who have never experienced love in their own religion!

Sometimes I think we forget to look for opportunities God gives us. While religious liberty is important to maintain, could we sometimes use it to negate our responsibility to be a witness to others? At times I wonder if our country is doing the same thing Solomon did when he brought heathen wives into His kingdom and built them altars in the high places. Instead of converting the stranger in our land to the true God of the Bible, we actually encourage them to worship their gods. Even in Christian circles we do this by saying that their god is the same as our God. Instead we should show them that Jesus Christ gives more hope for eternal life than Allah can ever give them.

Olaf Latzel is a faithful evangelical pastor in Germany who is preaching about the difference between the God of the Bible and the god of the Qu'ran.

He is not afraid to be politically incorrect and stand up for the truth even if his job is on the line. We need more people like Olaf, especially in our own ranks. Let us ask ourselves: what is the opportunity today as God brings these immigrants into our midst? Is it an opportunity to show them the true God - without having to enter their dangerous countries? Is it an opportunity to finish the work of God and hasten His kingdom?

Wenzel Goubej