According to Pastor Igor Bandura, the war in Ukraine has not made it easier to share the Gospel but it has changed the method by which that good news is shared.
As the conflict has hardened the hearts of some, leaving them angry and unable to accept the existence of a God of love, others have had their hearts softened so that they are considering spiritual matters more and are increasingly open to the Gospel.
Churches seek to surround non-believers with love, sharing in their sorrow and suffering. Sincere conversations follow such practical Christianity, when believers can speak of the hope that they have in Christ and give reasons for why they believe what they do. As the Gospel continues to be proclaimed many continue to be saved.
Life in Ukraine has changed, with danger now an everyday reality as is obvious by the all too frequent funeral processions. For believers, every morning begins with gratitude to God, for the protection that He has provided overnight, and every day is lived with the conscious realisation that it might just be one’s last.
The war has brought a renewed urgency to believers to share the Gospel now. As Igor reminded us, today you need to bring the Gospel to your neighbour as tomorrow could be too late. Nonetheless, at the same time, believers can daily rejoice – in the light of the salvation that has been secured for them through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s ongoing assurance that God remains always by their side.
That is not to say that Christians never worry. On the contrary, they inevitably continue to be concerned for those they love, nevertheless, they experience the supernatural peace of God which, given the current circumstances, really does pass all understanding.
Pray for believers in Ukraine. It is true that they do not know what tomorrow may hold but they know the One who holds tomorrow.