Convert, Pay a Tax, Flee or Die!

I get an email that asks me to "Stand with your brothers and sisters in northern Iraq who have been told to convert to Islam, pay a high tax, leave their homes — or die." The email goes on to say, "Imagine waking up one morning to find a red spray-painted symbol on the front of your house identifying you as a Christian. The Arabic letter “N” (nun), from the Arabic word nasara (meaning “Nazarene” to indicate Christians), was recently painted on homes of Christians in the city of Mosul, Iraq, by an organized terrorist group called IS (Islamic State) to identify Christians. Then on July 17, the terrorists gave area Christians an ultimatum: convert to Islam, pay a high tax, leave the area or die." If you're a Christian and found this letter "N" spray painted on your home, "What would you do?" I have to ask myself, "What would I do?" Anybody aware of the beheading of James Foley, the reporter, knows what kind of people are behind all of this. What a terrible choice to have to make. For those who have chosen to pay a tax, leave the area or die, praise the Lord. To be able to stand for your faith in Jesus in the midst of such a terrible situation is an honorable thing. But, what about those who chose to convert in order to save their lives. To them I say, "I understand." I say this for two reasons. The first is that, "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)." It is easy to say that a person who denies his Christianity and "converts" to Islam rather than suffer the consequences was not truly a Christian. Maybe they weren't, but God knows their heart. If they were truly saved, they are still saved. I believe that eventually their faith will be hard to contain, but regardless we must remember that, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13)." The second reason is that we have the testimony of the Apostle Peter. Jesus Christ told Peter that he would deny Him three times and Peter responded to the Lord by saying, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you (Matthew 26:35)!” But, after Jesus was betrayed and arrested, what was Peter's response when he was being associated with the Lord? "I do not know the man (Matthew 26:74)!” Now, in his defense, Peter was not born again of the Spirit of God because the Holy Spirit had not yet been restored to him. However, consistent with God's faithfulness, what did the angel say after Jesus' resurrection? "But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee (Mark 16:7)." Peter is singled out as one to be told about the Resurrection. I believe it is because of Peter's denial that the Lord wanted him to know that he was still loved by the Lord and still part of His plan. We know that Peter was used mightily by the Lord and would later become a martyr for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While I hope this present manifestation of evil is stopped in its tracks long before it touches anybody reading this post, if you are in Christ rest assured God is faithful to you and your sins are forgiven.May God be glorified in all the decisions and actions we make as His children through faith in Jesus Christ.