FROM THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS PRESIDENT:
COLE RICHARDS

The histories of the Near East and Middle East are replete with violence and instability. A dark heart of vengeance is at the root of these problems. 

At the local and personal levels, we see this clearly in the tribal blood feuds of the Old Testament era and in the so-called honor killings within Muslim families today. At the regional and geopolitical levels, we see it in the 1,400-year history of violence within the Muslims’ Sunni-Shiite conflict and in today’s state-sponsored Islamist terrorism against Jews and Christians. Blinded by ideologies that feature a fallen definition of honor, the people of these regions have long valued revenge, considering it essential to their dignity. 

Countering this flawed understanding, the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:19 provides instruction on trusting God’s righteous judgment: “Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.” He then supports this statement by referencing Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” As Americans, we may read this as a powerful indictment against the values of non-Christian Middle Eastern ideologies — and rightly so. But we must also be careful to examine ourselves according to God’s Word. Middle Eastern cultures are not alone in holding vengeance in high esteem. 

“Forgiveness and love for those who have harmed us goes against everything within our fallen human nature, our cultural norms, and even sometimes a proper sense of justice.”

COLE RICHARDS – VOM PRESIDENT

Revenge stories, which portray violent avengers as heroes, are commonplace in the West. Consider Hollywood movies: A person taking matters into his or her own hands to repay an enemy with violence is among the most common character archetypes in nearly every genre. This is why the VOM film Sabina: Tortured for Christ, the Nazi Years is so powerful. Sabina Wurmbrand’s decision to forgive and win to Christ one of the Nazi soldiers who murdered her family shows how antithetical Christian values and behavior are to the actions of supposed “heroes” in most Hollywood films. 

Deciding not to avenge ourselves, even going so far as to relinquish our rights for the sake of our witness for Christ, is unthinkably difficult. Forgiveness and love for those who have harmed us goes against everything within our fallen human nature, our cultural norms, and even sometimes a proper sense of justice. But God is greatly glorified when we break the cycle of violence in his name. Ultimately, those who have harmed us and reject Christ will receive God’s judgment. Justice will be done! But in the meantime, we are required to tell them about God’s grace, working to see the stain of their sins cleansed — just as ours were — through repentance and faith in Christ. 

“Christ commands us to do what would be impossible without him.”

COLE RICHARDS – VOM PRESIDENT

I pray that you will be challenged and encouraged by the examples of our persecuted Christian family members in our magazine and on VOM Radio. As you read and listen to these true testimonies, I am sure that, like me, you will struggle to apply these principles to situations in your life. Christ commands us to do what would be impossible without him. Our extension of love and forgiveness toward our enemies is possible only because, as believers in Christ, we are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit. God is greater than the wrongs committed against us. We glorify him greatly by demonstrating this truth to a fallen world.