All for Christ

                                                                       

                               If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God.

                                                                                                            2 Corinthians 5:13

    I taught a class about the persecution of Christians and martyrs to a group of middle school girls and they were flabbergasted.  They had never heard; never even realized that Christians were being tortured and killed for their faith! They just couldn't wrap their minds around the thought of being killed simply for believing and following Christ.

                        Some faced jeers and flogging, while others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned,  they were sawed in two; they were put to  death by the sword.  They went about in sheepskin  and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated.

                                                                                                                Hebrews 11: 36-37

                                        How do you feel?

      You like many others probably hear about Christians being persecuted and killed for their faith all the time. How do you feel about that?  Does it make you feel angry that people are doing that to our brothers and sisters? Do you want to defend them and tell the persecutors how wrong they are?  Or; do you feel joy and inspiration in such faith that enabled them to lay down their life for Christ? 

                      "Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven."

                                                                                                            Matthew 5:12

     I'm not saying you shouldn't get angry or upset when someone is killed.  I'm saying that Jesus told us to expect this.  
          "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
                                                                                                                            Matthew 10:22

    We as Americans start funds and do things to save our fellow brothers and sisters in different countries with money and through the laws of this world.  When the reality is, this started with Jesus. He died for the world, to save us. The world hated him! It's the same with us. We should not be surprised when we hear of a Christian laying down their life or their life being taken away because of their faith.  I don't know if we'll ever understand what its like to be in that position but, we must remember that reality. We are not of this world. This world hates us and will do what ever it takes to eliminate us, but we have hope in Christ for this is not our home. Our permanent home is with God and that's what we have to look forward to. That is our Hope.