Extreme Devotion
God has been bringing thoughts to me recently about those who have suffered great persecution because they believed in the name of Jesus Christ. We as Christians living in the US don't have any concept of what it must be like to live in a country where worshiping Jesus is forbidden. We go about life everyday nonchalantly doing as we please and if we feel like it we'll go to church on Sunday, sing a few songs and listen to a message about God. Then we go back to our daily life never even considering that there are millions of people who don't have the freedom to worship God without looking over their shoulder to see if they are about to be convicted or beaten for what they believe.
1st Peter 4:19 "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
There is No Way To know What we would Do
What would you do if you had to make a choice whether to denounce God or be taken away from your family to prison. Worse yet would you deny knowing Jesus if a gun were held to your head and you or your loved ones were about to be killed?
This is something we can't answer unless it happens to us. We can say what we think we would do but only when faced the the real situation would we either give in to the circumstances or find the faith in God to be true to him. We know that even Peter, the foundation of the Christian faith denied Christ. Not just once but three times after saying he would never do such a thing.
Awesome Stories about Extreme Devotion
I was given a book a couple years ago filled with accounts of faith by people whose lives were at risk daily by believing in God. They were beaten, thrown in prison, their families killed in front of them and yet they do not give up the faith they hold in Christ Jesus. Such overwhelming persecution for God is unimaginable to most of us.
The stories I have read in this book "Extreme Devotion" by Voice of the Martyrs are both horrifying in the circumstances people face and uplifting because of the faith in Christ displayed. Yet the hundreds of accounts found in the book are true about God given faith, devotion and hope found in Christians from all over the world. If you haven't heard about the trials Christians face in many nations I recommend you read this book. It will open your eyes to the hardships many choose to face in order to have the Love and Promises of Jesus in their life. They are willing to spread the word of Christ at any cost.
Our Life doesn't Compare
It makes me stop and think, am I really doing enough for God? He has given me such a soft life when compared to those who truly suffer in order to serve Him. We don't choose who we are or where we were born. God gives each of us a life to live whether it is in a place of freedom or suppression, we grow to live by the choices we make.
Revelation 6:9-11 "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been."
Actually everyone faces trials. Some it might seem are much more difficult than others but everyone has to come to do what they believe is right in their own life. It doesn't matter if you are living a plush easy life or a harsh life where everything is difficult to come by. Whatever trials you face are just as difficult for you, as what others may face. God is faithful to help each person with trials set before them. It is up to us to accept the power he makes available to each of us.
He gives grace to us all who believe in him whatever choices we make but He asks us to put our faith in Him. He will help us to make the right choice in what we do according to his will.
What can I Do For god Today?
Remember the persecuted around the world. Put yourself in their place and decide how you will stand up for Christ today.