For many times I asked myself a question: «Why is there such a great abyss between lives and fortunes of different christians?» Some of them become martyrs for the sake of Christ (in Pakistan, India), and other people know so little or practically nothing about them. And other christians are just singing songs of praise (Hillsong) and the whole christian world knows them and supports them. They are living as if in paradise, being still on earth. And very few people are really interested to know the stories of those who gave their lives for Christ. Maybe, the christian fortune is not benevolent to them? Or maybe they are staying under a curse and are punished because of that? Or maybe such is the will of God only for these people? O no, I think that those christians who professionally worship their Heavenly Father are pleasing Him by their singing even more than angels in Heavens, and He is waiting for their worship every day! I agree, it sounds sarcastic, but it looks like that. Maybe, the Heavenly Father keeps such people on earth because of their worship? Because nobody nows how they will sing in Heavens, where there are no earthly comforts. Or maybe God is shocked by the manicure of those who are singing, because there is no manicure in Heavens? I will set you an example. Two missionaries from Turkey — a husband and a wife — visited a church as guests who had been invited by the pastor. And when the ministry was over, there were given a chance to say the Word. They told in short about the ministry and then invited christians to join them in their ministry — those who really wished to do so. And when all people refused (and there were about 500 christians present at the ministry), the missionaries were surprised. They told that when they were listening to people worshiping God and singing beautiful songs of praise to Him, they didn’t have the slightest doubts that these christians were really devoted people, who gave their life to God. While praising the Lord, they looked so sincere and with tears in their eyes confessed their love and devotion to God. But when it came to practical doing of the Gospel, all of them refused to follow it.
There was a time when I just couldn’t realize — why did the Almighty God allow infants to be killed (Matthew 2:18)? And why did Joseph have to save the newly-born Jesus by means of escaping to Egypt? Couldn’t the Almighty God do away with such an insignificant person as Herod, and spoke to Joseph in a dream showing him the direction where to escape? You may say that it was the fulfillment of the prophesy about Jesus. Ok. But why was it necessary to predict the death of infants (Matthew 2:17-18)?
I remember how a preacher from China witnessed that for a short period of time 30.000 christians had been killed in China for their faith. And thanks to this fact a great revival started in China. Why did I remember this example? It’s because there was a time when I heard from somebody that the first blood shed for Christ was the blood of infants. And after thinking it over, I couldn’t but agree with the fact. And today, due to these revelations, I understand what Paul said «…let us exult, too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance» (Romans 5-3). Jesus told John (John 21-19) that the martyr death of Peter glorifies the Lord (and as is known, many apostles have also glorified Him with their death).
And the main thing, it became clear why God poured out from His Spirit on the former territory of the Soviet Union. In happened, because for the times of the soviet power many christians had been repressed and sentenced for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Only God knows how many christians are suffering for Jesus Christ today. But they are suffering constantly and every day. Due to the sufferings of the first christians in Rome, Rome became the capital of catholics. You shouldn’t aspire to sufferings or look for them on your own, but you shouldn’t deny it using the argument that God is love. Because those who were suffering believed the same God and were suffering for His sake. That is, in all the above-mentioned examples the speech is about the same God. But if we deny the fact, it distorts our perception of the real Gospel. Why should we be naive, or be eternal infants? I think Jesus doesn’t like it. And it can humiliate the memory about those who have suffered for the Gospel. As if they have done it against the will of God. If we analyze the state of modern christianity on post-Soviet territory, it’s not difficult to come to conclusion that believers are going to live in 3-storied mansions with swimming-pools and saunas. To live without illnesses, in prosperity and dominion. But are there christians who are ready to take their cross and follow Him? It means to endure sufferings, in full measure. Modern christianity is declaring from many pulpits that christianity is life in paradise here on earth. The life without sufferings, poverty, illnesses, discomfort etc. Many people believe it. But the Gospel without martyrdom is not the Gospel.
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