15 Nov, 2006
Dangerous impostors!
Five Iraqi police officers held over Baghdad kidnappings
Five senior Iraqi police officers were arrested tonight after gunmen in police uniforms seized scores of people at a prominent scientific research institute in Baghdad in an audacious operation that underlined the lawlessness permeating the Iraqi capital and the threat it poses to the country's tottering education system.
As many as 80 armed men took part in the morning attack, which netted academics, employees and visitors to the ministry of higher education's scientific research, scholarships and cultural relations directorate, situated in Baghdad's relatively peaceful Karrada district.
Major General Jalil Khalaf, the interior ministry spokesman, said those arrested included the police chief for Karrada. Also held were the commander of the police brigade in charge of the area and three other officers, he added. The gunmen were wearing interior ministry commando uniforms specifically designed to prevent counterfeiting.
According to police sources and witnesses, the gunmen arrived in more than 20 pick-up trucks and sports utility vehicles and sealed off the approaches to the building. Several cars approached the ministry's checkpoint and reportedly told guards they were part of an advance group from the interior ministry conducting a security sweep ahead of a visit by the US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad.
Insurgents, criminal gangs, and militias have frequently carried out attacks while posing as Iraqi security officers, and the security forces themselves have been heavily infiltrated.
photo & story courtesy guardian.co.uk, 11/14/06
2 Timothy 3:12-16
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
What does today's God's Story teach us about the kind of attacks we face as followers of Christ?
First of all, Paul warns Timothy and us that if we are serious about living a godly life for Jesus Christ, we will face persecution. The enemy will use ungodly people to attack anyone who stands up for God's Truth. So be encouraged if you are being criticized! Another question to think about is if you are not suffering any kind of persecution - why not?
Secondly, Paul is telling Christ's followers to be alert for impostors of the Christian faith. They are really false teachers who are trying to infiltrate our minds and our ranks with ideas that sound like they could be right, but are deceitful tricks of Satan.
For example, have you heard concepts like:
- A loving God would never send anyone to hell
- Abortion isn't wrong, because it's simply a personal choice
- Homosexuality is not a sin because how could so many people be wrong?
- To believe in Christ as the only way to Heaven is intolerant of other religions
The tragic news in Iraq today is a reminder of how deceitful the enemy can be. Iraqi citizens were deceived by impostors who had posed as security officers. Innocent people were taken hostage by the enemy acting like someone who would protect them.
Our world is full of religious sounding people who are false teachers according to God's Word. How can we make sure that we are not taken hostage by their deceitful perspectives?
We must spend time every day studying God's Word, which is absolute Truth. Reflect on it. Trust it. Apply it. Live it.
- Thank God for His Holy Word which is absolutely true! Ask God's Spirit to give you the desire and discipline to make it the foundation of who you are, how you think, and the way you live. Ask His Spirit to guard your mind and heart from the impostors that Satan sends your way to infiltrate your mind. Thank Jesus that He will provide the courage you need to face persecution and the heart you need to keep loving those you attack you for living a Biblical faith.
- Every day, pray for God's Spirit to make you alert to the attacks of the enemy.
- Whenever you see another report of the war in Iraq, pray for God's strength to give you the victory in the spiritual battle for Truth.
- For one month, keep a list in your journal of the false teachings that the religious culture wants you to believe. Pray for those impostors of the Truth.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to the lives of others?
- Pray for friends and family who need Jesus to see His Truth lived out in your life.
- Study the Truth of God's Word so that when the lies of Satan come up in conversation with others, you will be able to talk about God's Truth. But remember to do it with a heart of love, not an attitude of judgement.
- Start a Bible study with your friends or bring them to your youth group or small group so that they can experience God's Truth in an atmosphere of caring relationships. This will provide an ongoing opportunity to learn their stories and share more of your story.
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