Lisa and I launched this blog site back in June–six short months ago. On a global level so much has happened. If you haven’t noticed, events we wouldn’t have conceived of just a few years ago are gaining in frequency and momentum, i.e., the birth pangs appear to be in full swing.
It is very difficult to watch Christianity being ripped from our core here in America. It is very hard watching people I know be divided–friendships and relationships are starting to get lost over this. And though this is bad enough, I’ve decided to take it a step further and share my own personal thoughts on martyrdom. It’s about as heavy of a subject I think I could ever tackle, because it does cause me to take a really close look at myself.
Fact: Christians have been dying for their faith in Jesus Christ ever since He walked the earth. He forewarned us about this when he simply explained in Matthew:
And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22)
Up until recent days, I would merely “hear” of martyrdom taking place every now and then, especially over in the Middle East. I’d hear about this and of course I thought it was sad, but it seemed remote and distant. Perhaps in some way, even though Christian, I still saw these people as victims of such a different culture that it didn’t seem too close to home so I wasn’t personally affected by it. But I see things so differently now. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Last year ISIS entered into the mainstream picture and brought the beheading of Christians home to our television sets and computers. Very horrific. However, even then, it still seemed so far away to me. But as I started thinking more about this I began realizing just how brave in their faith these men and women were. They allowed themselves, by choice–along with their entire families–to be sentenced to death in such a brutal and horrifying way because they would not deny their faith in Christ. What must that feel like on an emotional level?
Fast forward a few months and now we are beginning to hear that this evil has arrived on US soil. Though the numbers are hard to pinpoint exactly, we now know there are possibly thousands of ISIS “sympathizers” in the USA. This is a game changer. What was once a distant thought and wonder has turned into a possible reality–someone I know or someone I love, or even I myself, could be faced with making this life or death statement of faith one day. A few years ago the thought of this possible, present-day reality in America would never have crossed my mind.
I’m not saying that we, as Christians here in America, are all going to be facing martyrdom. I don’t think that God is going to call everyone to make that ultimate sacrifice. But the Bible does call all Christians to be prepared to give a defense of the hope that lies within us when called to do so. I guess a good analogy would be to consider those who enlist in the armed services. They do so with the understanding that they might be called into battle on behalf of their country and they could lose their lives (with high honor) as a result. Therefore, they prepare. Just as we–as Christians–must prepare.
It’s one thing for me to “think” in my heart, soul and mind that I would, without hesitancy, lay my life down for my Lord. I would be honored to do this in the name of Jesus Christ, as I know many of you would. But let’s face it–we are also human! I’m the type of person, when I get scared out of my wits, I’m exactly that–scared out of my wits! Wobbly, shaky, and in some cases I have even fainted–like the time my friends scared me, almost to death, at my surprise birthday party. I fainted, with fear, over a very unexpected, loud, happy-birthday SURPRISE! A happy birthday surprise is a lot different than standing on a firing range for my faith. Could I hold it together and be poised for the Lord?
Everything going haywire in our world today is nothing short of spiritual warfare. Big, huge problem, when the majority of Americans don’t understand the fact that the ISIS caliphate leaders earnestly believe that their role is to help usher in the final days and the end of the world. Their religion commands them to kill anyone who won’t convert to their beliefs. Their main mission is to destroy us because we are Christian. And, as long as they are in control of any area in our path, if we are in that crossfire, human weaponry alone will not win this type of battle. While many people are only focusing on what is visible, there’s an invisible realm that is just as real and just as active as the physical world going on around us. On a physical level, yes! ISIS needs to be completely destroyed. But on a spiritual level? What do we do?
Written by Paul in Ephesians, the Bible teaches us how to be prepared by putting on the full armor of God. He knew, because he lived it and died by it:
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. (Ephesians 6:12-20)
Lisa and I began this blog because we knew our times here on earth were going to start getting crazy–and scary. We by no means have all of the answers, but we do know one thing for sure. We have a great hope. God loves us and He speaks to us about all of this in Scripture. We have the perfect outline to go by. And I praise God everyday that I have this great hope, that He chose me as a follower and that He has provided us with the tools–the supernatural tools–to get us through the days ahead.
Could I lay my life down for Jesus? The answer is yes. Supernaturally so. I look very, very forward to the Kingdom, no matter what it takes or whichever route I’m called to take in order to get there. Absolutely, the answer is yes!
Holding fast,
Lori
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first (John 15-18).
~ ~ ~
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:12-16)
Photography by JD Weiher
Lori, I have been thinking about this post since I read it last week. I have put some thought into how I wanted to comment. I feel it is hard for many people living in the USA to wrap our heads around this because we are not exposed to violence on an everyday basis, that is, on a face to face personal level. Oh yes, we can see plenty of very realistic violence of all forms and degrees of depravity quite easily if we want or many times, even if we don’t want to. I have never seen anyone shot or killed in any way, except maybe on a news clip or a violent movie. I hope I never have to. But we must face reality now whether we want to or not. Senseless violence and killing is here on our soil and it’s likely to not go away. I can still remembember the absolute shock and horror of the deaths those in the collapse of the twin towers faced on 9/11; but I can only sympathize with it vicariously as opposed to personal experience. We have become increasingly numbed to one incidence of mass shooting after another. It’s horrible and insane.
Jesus died a brutal and agonzing death so that we would not have to in order to make recompense for our sin and iniquity. Millions of early Christians suffered horrible deaths as well in standing for their faith and beliefs, and in doing so, allowed the gospel of Christ to be preserved and passed on to us. Many others have died in defense of their faith in the interim until present times. Christians will become increasingly hated by the world as you mentioned. We have been bought with a price, the ultimate by our Lord and Saviour and in support of His death, by the martyred deaths of countless others. It is no less our calling to do the same, though the thought of it seems ominous and terrifying at the same time.
We know that if called to do so, we would receive and even greater reward in the life to come. As the Apostle Paul said, “to die is gain,” for it would bring us ever quicker into the presence of our Lord and God. It is noble, but as humans, it would be hard to face as you said Lori. I think of Daniel who was put in the Lions den and they became as docile housecats, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego in the fiery furnace of Babylon standing in the inferno with a fourth person by their side. We can only hope, but also have courage and faith that our God would be by our side in the ordeal. With Him, “all things are possible.”
Lastly, as Christians, who have been taken by God to become his children through grace and mercy in the the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are called to spread the gospel to all who do not know Him. Their earthly death would only serve to send them to an eternal fate far more terrifying, horrifying and endless in pain and suffering than any earthly death could render. That is a heavy heavy thought. I pray for all of us to have strength to be up to this task and to put on the full armour of God to do battle with the enemy in these days we have here on earth.
Thank you Lori for another enlightening writing.
Love to you in our Lord,
And, thank you Mark for another enlightening comment! Love you ~ L
Thank you for sharing this truth so boldly my sister. I too believe that for those that will face martyrdom, Holy Spirit will give them a supernatural peace that only they will understand. Just like those men in the orange jumpsuits along the coast who were beheaded for their faith, they sang All Glory to Jesus & those ISIS fighters couldn’t take their heads off fast enough! Now that was impossible in their own human strength. Praise God!
So amazing! Thank you Dedee!! xox (and, happy birthday too by the way !! )
Thanks Lori this was great. I am still learning.
Glad you liked the post and thank you very much. I am still learning too! :)
Thanks, Lori. This is a topic that most of us don’t want to think about, although it is happening now and could possibly happen here. I think it already has — the shooter in Oregon asked the people he shot if they were Christians and if they said yes, that was their death sentence. I too wonder how I would respond in that situation. I think God will give us that supernatural peace and strength and ability to face death, knowing the next moment we will be in His Presence, if and when the time comes. He knows our fears. He knows we are human. I just love these verses at the end of Jude: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Thank you Lisa! And, for sharing the encouragement in Jude. Love.