3 Realities of Martyrdom
Martyrdom happens. It doesn’t need to, but it does. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is too compelling of a force for many people, and the righteousness it takes to make that holy confession of submission to Jesus’ lordship is far from easy.
Martyrs stand in a gap, a place where faith meets the overwhelming reality of rejection to God’s Word. Where feet may fail, martyrs find strength in the peace of Christ. For it, they should be honored.
Here are 3 realities of martyrdom:
(1) Martyrdom happens because Law trumps Gospel
For some, the Law wins. The message of mercy is too high a price to grasp, and they would rather stay tied to what is false. When they see people living in the freedom of Gospel, it strikes at the heart of their beliefs. They cannot conceive of a God of mercy, and so they must act in their own judgment.
This is one of the great sorrows of the Christian faith: most false religions know no Gospel. All they know is a god of judgment casting a shadow of fear over their lives. It has become so much a part of their lives, that all they can do is rebel against anything that interferes with how they follow that fear. Embracing the Gospel means embracing a different culture of awareness. That awareness of salvation leads to a different God, and that is unacceptable.
(2) Martyrdom happens because the Gospel is greater than any one civilization
Martyrdom happens when a civilization of way of life gets threatened. There comes a tipping point for any civilization that is threatened by the reset button of the Gospel. People will decide which is greater: the comfort of what they have always known, even if it is less than desirable, or embracing a set of ideals based on a higher purpose. You will always find martyrdom in places where people feel their way of life is being threatened.
(3) Martyrdom happens because violence is always easier than dialogue
Talking is a sign of a receptive heart. A receptive heart is a sign of, at least, temporary consideration. Martyrdom happens when an intolerance to consideration happens. It’s always easier to react negatively than to take into consideration that something we believe is false.
Where you find martyrdom, you find a lack of dialogue.
—————
No one wants to be considered a fool. Martyrdom is the result of not wanting to allow for the possibility of being wrong. So many people think that embracing the Gospel of Jesus means that they will be labeled a fool by friends, family, or the world. And that is a powerful tool of Satan in the hearts of this world. We must convey to people that being a Christian is not a foolish thing, but a force for good beyond measure. The status quo of apathy cannot stand. Salvation and eternal life are too important. It’s time we act, even if martyrdom is a possibility in our future. Amen.
Recent Comments