Alluded to in yesterday's post, one of the biggest news stories of the day involves Islamic terrorists and their 3 major attacks in France. 10 people were killed at a magazine office in Paris. Then, later, two more died. The two later incidents involved an attack on a Jewish establishment and the taking of hostages.
Devotees of Islam believe in a violent overthrow of other, non-Islamic peoples in the name of their religion. The mantra is "convert or die". This is called "jihad", a central tenet of Islam, regardless of what you hear in the media. While the people who carry out jihad may be a small number, the belief is widespread and embraced by that faith. Muslims are willing to kill others in an effort to get terrorized survivors to "convert" to Islam.
True Christians view this attitude and practice to be reprehensible. I say "true" because I'm well aware that history records misguided Christian initiatives, such as the Inquisition, the Crusades and the Salem witch trials which have been of a similar nature. These were done in the name of Christianity, when in reality, these were the works of the Devil under the guise of organized religions/governments. These do not equate to the gospel of Jesus, although they are often misidentified with it.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ is never destructive or violent. Rather, the true gospel has had a civilizing effect on the earth. There was a documentary on TV this morning about the Roman edifice known as The Colosseum, a huge public arena where the Romans went for "entertainment". Unfortunately, this entertainment consisted of watching many thousands of animals and men be slaughtered or kill each other. Western architects have copied the design of this building for nearly 2000 years. It is because of Christianity that the Western world has not copied the actual "games".
Think about that for a moment....Before Christianity gained a foothold in the world, barbarism was the order of the day in most of the world.
What got me going down this mental path was the reminder Franklin Graham posted on Facebook about Jim Eliot and his four companions, who were killed by a savage tribe in Ecuador on Jan. 8, 1956. Their story was told in the movie/docudrama, "End of the Spear" (2005). Eliot was the leader of the team and a graduate of Wheaton Bible College. He was a man totally "sold out" to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many would view him as much of a religious fanatic as those Muslim jihadists. Look, though, at the difference! Eliot didn't coerce anyone. Instead, he put his own life at risk by traveling to a dangerous area out of a love for souls, living out a Spirit-led commission to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus.
Giving one's life to kill others versus giving one's life to save others: that is the contrast between Muslim and Christian. Christians model their lives after our Savior, as He was willing to lay down His life for us.
There is a famous quote found in Jim Eliot's diary and made famous after his death. You may have heard it.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
This is reminiscent of the words of Jesus, who said:"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Matthew 16:25 NET
Does this mean that as Christians we must become martyrs to win favor with God? No, but we must be willing to lay down our physical life for His sake, if He calls us to that.
We live in a time where, around the world, the number of Christians being persecuted is higher than at any other time in history. You may not be aware of it; but, Christians are being slaughtered in the middle east, in the far east and in remote areas hostile to the gospel. Those not being outright killed are being denied the freedom to practice the Christian religion, often imprisoned and/or tortured for their faith. Don't be beguiled into believing such will never be required of you.
You may be thinking, "Whew! Thank God He didn't call ME to be a missionary!" You would be wrong about that. You are probably thinking of a missionary as someone who travels to a foreign land to share Jesus with savages; and, some do receive that calling.
As for our calling, what does the Lord require of us? He calls us to violently martyr our fleshly desires on the altars of our hearts every, single day. Look at Galatians 2:20, a verse I memorized as a young girl.
"I am crucified with Christ.
Nevertheless, I live.
Yet, not I, but Christ lives in me.
And, the life that I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
This verse affirms for the Christian believer that Jesus calls us to step down off of the throne of our own hearts and to follow Him, wherever He leads us. This is the ONLY way we can truly follow Him, the only way to walk resplendent.
About being a missionary? Right now, this very moment, He requires that we share the gospel. Do you know the last words Jesus spoke before physically leaving this earth? They are recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 - - -
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This is a command to every Christian. Let me say that again. Sharing the gospel is a command to every Christian, even if that feels like doing so will "kill you".
Are you willing to become a martyr for your Savior, Jesus Christ, today?
Dear Father, by Your Holy Spirit you convict me of my own selfishness. I'm appalled by the number of times I step off the throne of my heart and then willfully, knowingly step back onto it each day. The battle of flesh against spirit is so real. Help me, please, to martyr my selfish desires as often as needed to enable Your Holy Spirit to blaze in my soul. I want Him to have the freedom to be that all-consuming fire, which burns up anything that is contrary to Your will for me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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