{"id":31876,"date":"2021-01-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csw-yeo.1wp.site\/magazines\/an-impossible-vision-4926\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T21:21:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T20:21:35","slug":"an-impossible-vision-4926","status":"publish","type":"magazines","link":"https:\/\/www.csw.org.uk\/zh\/magazines\/an-impossible-vision-4926\/","title":{"rendered":"An impossible vision"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As many of you no doubt know, CSW\u2019s vision is \u2018a world free from religious persecution\u2019. This may appear to be a reasonably straightforward mission, but if we stop for a moment to consider the subject more carefully, we can quickly find ourselves questioning how realistic a vision this in fact is.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘In this world you will have trouble\u2019 ( John 16:33)<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus forewarned his followers that they\u2019d endure suffering and persecution \u2013 an inevitable part of the Christian life, for as long as they inhabit the world to which they don\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if suffering for the sake of Christ is part of the course of life for believers, does this mean that we should be resigned to this reality and give up our mission now? If we believe our vision won\u2019t be realised in this life \u2013 indeed that it\u2019s contrary to Christ\u2019s own teaching \u2013 are we wasting our time and energy in striving for the theologically unattainable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our CEO, Scot Bower, was recently asked this question in an interview with TWR-UK. When asked whether he thought CSW\u2019s vision of \u2018a world free from religious persecution\u2019 was achievable in our lifetime, after a few moments\u2019 reflection Scot provided the only response he felt fitting: \u2018Just because something\u2019s impossible doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t shoot for it.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest\u2019 (Galatians 6:9)<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And he was right. Our doing good \u2013 our striving for a world free from religious persecution \u2013 doesn\u2019t depend on whether we think, theologically speaking, this ambition is attainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not to say that we should waste our time with work that has no direction or possible hope of success; we\u2019re only too conscious of our responsibility to those for whom we work, and to you, our supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But we should also not fear working towards a goal which appears impossible. We advocate for those unable to practise their religion or belief freely, because it is good and right to do so. And we know that at the proper time we will reap a harvest as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018For we are God\u2019s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works\u2019 (Ephesians 2:10)<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christ teaches us, quite resolutely, that the poor will always be with us \u2013 but he in no way suggests that we ought to accept this state of poverty. Rather, he instructs us to offer practical and material support to those in need (Matthew 25:34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So too we can expect persecution, but we certainly can\u2019t accept it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Christians, we\u2019re called to every work which sees us partaking in God\u2019s mission on earth. At CSW that means speaking up for those denied their religious freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there will be times when the work seems overwhelming and impossible. But just because the journey is hard \u2013 and the ultimate destination unreachable in this life \u2013 we are no less determined to pursue this calling. Our vision is indeed of a world free from religious persecution and we will continue to work towards this vision for however long it takes \u2013 not naively, but passionately, with conviction and knowing that there is no greater work in this life than to bring God\u2019s heavenly kingdom to earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, we have every confidence that God will continue to reassure us of his presence along the way. With every prisoner released, every unjust sentence overturned, every gift received \u2013 he is encouraging us to continue to pursue this work. For his kingdom and glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Scot\u2019s full interview with TWR-UK below<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n