But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
According to Wikipedia, "The persecution of Christians is the religious persecution that Christians have endured as a consequence of professing their faith, both historically and in the current era. In the two thousand years of the Christian faith, about 70 million believers, of whom 45.5 million or 65% lived in the twentieth century, have been killed for their faith."
Someone right now is dying for their faith in Christ, while others are imprisoned and tortured as we speak. People like ‘Khada’ and her husband ‘Ehsan’, Afghani Christians who had to worship in secret. Then ‘Ehsan/ disappeared, only to be found two days later, having been tortured to death. Then there is ‘Elmahdi’ who lives in Casablanca, Morocco, He found a Christian post on Facebook and started learning about Jesus and His extraordinary life. He secretly gave his life to Christ. However, when his wife, from a devout Muslim family, found out she threatened divorce if he did not revert to Islam. Because he would not give up his newfound faith, he has now lost his wife and his two sons.
‘Elmahdi’ is tormented by thoughts of his sons but is prepared to pay that price for the sake of all he finds in Jesus.
What have we given up for Jesus Christ? What would we give up for Him? We in the west have it easy, no oppression or persecution (so far). No-one watching our every move. No need to keep our love for Jesus a secret, but so often it seems like we are afraid to share the Good News with others.
Why? Are we afraid we will get laughed at or scorned? There is so much sharing of the Gospel in those persecuted countries than in safe ones like this. What exactly are we afraid of? We are not about to lose homes, family, friends or, as so many others, like ‘Ehsan’, our lives.
Are we more like those with no root, who fall away at the merest suggestion of trouble or persecution? Do we believe Jesus for our safety? Remember in Hebrews 13: 5…. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
The big question is, do we believe Him, who is now and always, our Father in Heaven.
The choice is ours, we must believe and follow the Great Commission given to all disciples by Jesus or turn from the salvation that is ours through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Prayer
Precious Saviour, Son of God, we ask You now to empower us to carry out the commission You gave to Your disciples, a commission which they in turn have passed down through the ages to us. Give us a heart to share the gospel with others who have never heard Your message of the Father and His heavenly Kingdom. Let us know You more closely so that we may also know our heavenly Father in our hearts. Allow us to hear the holy Spirit speak to us the lessons You shared with the disciples. Lord God be with those who live daily with danger and persecution, bless them and ease any fears they have for family and friends as they freely share Jesus with others. We ask these things in the name of our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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