Three or four years ago, we received a message about one of our church’s missionaries, urgently requesting prayer on his behalf. His forwarding agent explained that our missionary’s life was threatened by a man who was angry that the missionary had led his daughter to Christ. For me, that message put a face on the persecution of the church. Up to that time, I had heard horror stories about persecuted Christians in other countries, but I didn’t really know any of them. This time, the missionary was a friend of mine. He had worshipped with our church many times when he was a college student and he enjoyed meals in my home. Our church had sent financial support to him from the beginning of his missionary work. I shuddered to think of my friend getting hurt.
Martyrdom and persecution of the church are realities in many countries, but American Christians seem to be out-of-touch with their reality. We don’t hear much about them from the main stream news media. What’s more, it is hard for American Christians to relate to that kind of situation, because we have much religious freedom in our country.
Nevertheless, based on current reports from missionaries and various Christian organizations, it is estimated that tens of thousands of Christians around the world have been persecuted during the past decade and thousands of them have died for their faith.
I think we should realize that the martyrs died as brave soldiers of Christ. Their battles were not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness. And, though they make the ultimate sacrifice, their deaths were not in vain. They have inspired other followers of Christ to remain faithful to the Lord, too.
But, what about the influence that martyrs have on non-believers? We have a story in Acts 7:54-8:1 that shows us one example. While Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was being stoned to death because of his testimony for Christ, his executioners entrusted their coats to a young man named Saul of Tarsus. Saul held their coats while he watched and approved of Stephen’s death. Later, Saul became a Christian and changed his name to Paul. A few years later, he sadly remembered his involvement in Stephen’s murder. The man that Saul once hated and helped kill had become a hero of the Apostle Paul.
We should be very thankful that we do not live in a country where the government or other religions try to repress or persecute the church. Thank God for our freedom!
Furthermore, we must pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. Pray for God’s care in their lives and for their courageous and faithful proclamation of the Gospel, in spite of the oppression. Like my missionary friend, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we are connected. What affects them, affects us.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil