As Christians around the world continue to be slaughtered while the world sits idly by, I am reminded of the Heroes of Faith outlined in Hebrews chapter 11. Like the Heroes in the Bible, these modern day heroes were not concerned with everyday vanities of life; aquiring more money, bigger houses, popular clothes and a second home on the beach. These modern Heroes didn’t waste time worrying about lessor inconveniences we face in America like getting sued for not giving approval for same-sex marriage, or being hated for speaking against abortion and rejecting sin. Those are persecutions, surely the beginning of something much worse, but pale in comparison to the hundreds of Christians whom have been brutally murdered because of their faith. These men and women who were marched into the desert or along the ocean beaches to be slaughtered are true Christian Heroes. My heart goes out for them and the thousands of others who are sitting around their table tonight saying a prayer or reading their bible, looking into the eyes of their loved ones and hoping help will find them soon. If not, they will continue to stand firm in their faith in God, even to the end.
Most likely few if any of these murdered Christians were members of our religious organization or denomination. I wonder if we would have even noticed them if our paths crossed? It bothers me to ask this, but would some of us even refuse to call them a true follower of Christ because they didn’t worship like us? And finally, could we ever find ourselves facing that same martyrdom because of our faith? Could we ever be committed to that same fate because of our faith? Would we be as willing to stand firm in our faith in the face of death?
(Hebrews 11:35-38 MSG) ……. “There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. (36) Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. (37) We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless– (38) the world didn’t deserve them!–making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.”
Remember to PRAY for Persecuted Christians, DAILY!
Pastor Rick King's Blog 