We are all familiar with the execution of Christians during the 1500’s in England and various other places. Under the reign of Queen Victoria only 80 Christians were executed during a three year period. Yet we all know about it. Why do we not hear about Christian executions any more. It is estimated that 176 000 Christians were killed because of their faith from July 2008 to June 2009. When we read books like Foxe’s Book of Martyrs we are amazed to read about these people’s attitudes at the time of their deaths. Some kiss the stake before they get on to be burned alive. Some pray and preach to their killers while they are burning. They seem to love what is happening to them. It is as if this is the best thing that can happen to them. Well, if your life is lived according to what the word of God requires, this is the best thing that can happen to a person. If you are living your whole life desiring to be with God, then it is a joyous occasion when you are being sent there. If someone wants to kill you because of your faith, then all they are doing is fulfilling your life’s desire. Giving you the one thing you want most. Mat 5:10 says; Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake. Rejoice and be glad when men revile you. We should live our lives in such a way that our holy living convicts others of their sins. It is a natural response of humans to attack someone else when the spotlight falls on them, just to draw the attention to the other person instead. So if you live right, you will be persecuted. If you are not persecuted in any way, you have to ask yourself; “what is wrong in my relationship with God? Am. I truly saved?” Because the word tells us that we WILL be persecuted. It is not just a maybe, we will suffer. Php 1:29 For to you it is given on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake, It is given to us, a gift, to suffer. And when we do, it works a reward for us. Mathew says that anyone who loses his life for Jesus’ sake, will find it. Count it all joy when you suffer for the sake of Christ. Relationships, money, material possessions or any other thing on this earth should not be our first love, because that would make us sad to go and be with Christ when the moment comes. If Christ is our first love, treasures in heaven is our first love, we will be joyous to leave everything here behind to be in the presence of our Saviour. How is your heart today, are you willing to die, are you willing to do it joyfully? Do you really long to be with Christ, or is the fun and lusts and desires of this earth keeping you here.
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