I lived and worked in Beijing China for two years in a position to know about the Chinese government and some of what it is like to live under their control. They control their own people with fear and intimidation and don’t really care what the world thinks about their methods. As the world watched, thousands of human rights lawyers were arrested. Anyone who doesn’t follow their rules is accused of disturbing the public order and is persecuted or arrested, including Christian Pastors. When Churches become too popular or influential, they are closed. One huge Church was destroyed for some minor building code violation. A Pastor’s wife was buried alive in front of witnesses when she tried to stop them from destroying her Church.
Why should you care? They want to take over the World and are aggressively pursuing that goal. They steal our technology to advance their military and industrial might. Cheap labor and huge markets draw companies to move to China, but it comes at a hefty price. The government controls foreign businesses and exerts their power over the company to their own advantage. The Chinese have become rich and powerful and are expanding their influence and control around the globe. Short-sighted governments accept their help and suggestions now, which become threats and demands tomorrow.
With the Chinese government’s goals and brutality, it is clear they are our enemy. It’s understandable if you heard of the deadly virus spreading across China and had a brief “they deserve it” moment. I want to clarify that it’s the Chinese government that is oppressing and the Chinese people who are being oppressed. Yes, it takes many Chinese people to support the government, but most are victims. The Bible says “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him” (Prov 24:17-18 KJV). “God so loved the world” including the Chinese people and “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish” (John 3:16 KJV) and that includes our enemies. Yes, some Chinese have done wrong and “deserve it” but so have we.
Perhaps you will be more compassionate if you knew China has the largest number of Christians in the world? Partly because of their huge population, but their Churches are growing under persecution, even as the Western world’s Christian populations are shrinking under freedom. Pray for Chinese Christians and that this crisis will draw more unto JESUS.
Did you know the heroic Wuhan whistleblower Dr, Li Wenliang was a Christian? He defied the government and posted his findings on the internet and was punished for his efforts. Officials tried to hide the growing tragedy but it was too contagious. Dr. Li continued caring for his patients until both he and his pregnant wife contracted the virus. He didn’t want to leave this world, but he did, because some heroes have to give their lives for others, like JESUS did when He died on the cross to save us from our sin. Pray for victory in China, not to overcome the world, but to surrender to JESUS who overcame death, Hell and the grave!
Wayne Lance (2020)