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Ian Grant Spong
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You Martyred?
2 stars|5 comments|February 12, 2008|614 reads
 
What if hostility towards Christians escalated into violence in your neighborhood? Have you ever had thoughts of being murdered for your faith? Christians are murdered every day somewhere in the world, simply because of their faith. Even in the relative safety of a country with religious freedom, Christians can be in mortal danger. However, Jesus encouraged his first students that murdering persecutors could not touch their souls. Only God can destroy both body and soul.

So, where was God when Christians in the early church were murdered for their faith for about 300 years? Where is God today when some governments persecute or at least are passive onlookers to modern martyrdom? Jesus comforted his first pupils by saying that God is aware of even a sparrow falling and knows how many hairs are on our heads. He is very aware of lesser issues and counts us a much higher priority. If we should ever have to pay the ultimate price for our faith, Jesus encourages us to have faith in God's ultimate care of our soul.
10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 10:30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.


 
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Forgiven
 Forgiven
February 12, 2008
I enjoyed reading this blog! I have thought about this at times since I've been saved. I have even dreamt about it. I don't worry about it. I have just asked the Lord to help me to die for Him if it ever should happen to me. I pray that I'd go out singing or reciting one of the poems that I've written for Him!

Of course people are really being persecuted in parts of the world...and I hope we realize how blessed we've been! This is something I do not pray about enough!

Thanks for the reminder.
Gene Downs
 Gene Downs
February 13, 2008
I think being martyred is an extension of an overall willingness to put the needs of others before the needs of self.  That's what dying to self (picking up your cross) is all about.

What Christ wants for us, where He leads us, all come first.  Our own interests, needs, and wants are secondary.

There's a time to live, and there's a time to die.

Each month I become more convinced that our time of real, physical persecution in the US is coming.

Gene
Ian Grant Spong
 Ian Grant Spong
February 14, 2008
Thanks for the comments guys!
Gene Boecker
 Gene Boecker
February 14, 2008
I pray I never have to take that test.  Yet, I heard a very wise man once say that "it is sometimes easier to die for something you believe in that to live for it."
Ian Grant Spong
 Ian Grant Spong
February 15, 2008
True Gene...