The Day is Coming

Heidie and I were listening to WJTL radio and heard them sharing about some people overseas that were Christians. They were not only Christians but they were willing to die for their faith. The one young lady became a Christian and her family and friends tried to get her to renounce her faith. This young woman refused to give her faith up and was killed as a result. She knew her belief in Christ was eternal while her life here was only temporal. She chose that which was eternal. I have heard some Christians in this country complain about being persecuted for their faith. I would say to these folks that they have no clue what persecution is. Yet!

I beleive that the time is coming when even in this nation people will begin to persecute those who truly follow Christ. The fist century believers knew what persecution was and epxperienenced it in so many ways. There were many martyrs in the early church. They suffered gruesome deaths but still held to their faith. Many over the years have taken a stand for Jesus and sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Gospel. Peter and Paul both died in Rome executed for their faith. All the other apostles also laid their lives down as martyrs. John was the only one who died of old age and that was because God had plans for John. There are believers even today facing death and imprisonment for the gospel's sake. We have not yet experienced true persecutiuon. Have we been ridiculed? Have we been put down in the media and called all sorts of things? Have we even been brought to court over our biblical beliefs? Absolutely we have! But persecuted? Not yet but the time will come should the Lord tarry we may! Look at how the country is turning its back on its godly heritage and foundations. What was once taboo and considered to be offensive is being spouted as just another freedom. You can fill in what that is. Many things fall into that category. You don't have to think too hard as to what things would fit. One day will be called radicals and face persecution as a result.

As I thought about the persecution and what that will mean to us as believers, I count myself to be among some very worthwhile company. Remember Jesus Himself was persecuted and killed. Don't forget that when Jesus rose from the dead He won our victory over death as well. Some day they may be able to kill our bodies but never our spirit! Remember that Paul tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! I want to be a radical for Jesus Christ!