Martyrdom

"Let us remind ourselves that the Great Commission was never qualified by clauses calling for advance only if funds were plentiful and no hardship or self-denial involved. On the contrary, we are told to expect tribulation and even persecution, but with it victory in Christ. ...It is ours to show, in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in personal communion with Him, a joy unspeakable and full of glory that cannot be affected by outside circumstances."

That was an excerpt from a speech delievered to the Moody Bible Institute graduating class of 1932, but John Stam. This was done just before John, and his bride Betty, departed to go to China. They were beheaded just one month after their arrival in Tsingteh, leaving behind a three-month-old infant.

I learned about this from a study I'm doing with some women from my church. We are doing Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruits of the Spirit." I was blown away by this. In Day 1, Beth shares about how our nation knows very little about true persecution. This is a topic I hit on quite a bit. That we, as a "Christian Nation", do not know what martyrdom is. In "The Hidden Price of Greatness" by Ray Beeson and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker, they share that, "it seems a paradox that the death of Christians could be the key to church growth. Yet as surely as the cross of Christ was essential to our salvation, the sacrifice of believers is crucial to world evangelism. That is as true today as ever." I look at my life and my "lackadaisical" attitude I so often have about faith. It upsets me about myself. More so than that, is my lack of prayer for those who face this day in and day out.

I was talking to Lucas yesterday about having a heart for missions. I know that right now, in this season of my life, God is not calling me to move full time overseas. However, with that, one day God could call me to a place where the threat of persecution, and most extremely, martyrdom could be a reality. If I am placed in that situation, I will so eagerly long and covet the prayers of the saints around the world, yet I am not doing that for those whom this is a reality for today.

I don't know what this posts purpose is, other than I wanted to share that quote and release some of my thoughts, but if nothing else, I challenge you to take a moment and pray for those believers who face this reality daily. That they will be strengthened and encouraged to remain true to the faith knowing that we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). May we be encouraged and challenged to daily lift up the saints and co-laborers in Christ around us and those we will not know until Heaven.