Christianity is not exactly a popular faith in many parts of the world. In the Western world, publicly taking a Biblical stance on certain issues almost guarantees you will be laughed at, scorned, called names, or vilified in general. This is the case even when your position is perfectly in line with the Bible, law, and accepted position of the Church since 33 A.D. Taking a stand for Christ is not easy.
IT'S TOUGH
Witnessing for Jesus is even more difficult. We don’t like uncomfortable situations and often shy away from confrontation. We don’t want to lose a friend or make anyone mad. We don’t want to strain family relationships or have anyone think we are weird. Taking a stand for Christ is tough, and many Christians choose not to share their faith.
...BUT PEOPLE NEED JESUS
On the other hand, some people are brave enough to take a stand for Christ and accept the consequences, whatever they may be. Some of these people are faithful to the end — even when the end is bitter. For example, a group of 12 Syrian believers lost their lives recently. If you don’t want to read one of the most horrible things you can imagine, don’t click the link below; but if you want to share in one of the most inspiring and heroic stories of faith, click here.
If you chose not to read the article, I'll spare you the details, but it concerns a group of Christians who refused to leave their town or renounce their faith when ordered by ISIS militants. They could have fled for their lives, denied their faith, lied, or even kept their mouths shut. Instead, they evangelized, prayed, spoke truth, and took their stand for Jesus. They chose not to leave because people around them needed to know Christ.
UNWAVERING FAITH
The rest of the story is brutal — involving beatings, rape, tortuous dismemberment, be-headings, and crucifixions — but it also involves unwavering faith, an undeniable witness, and an unfailing love for Jesus and those who don't know Him. It is a story of people who understood eternity and were willing to risk far more than name-calling. They endured horrors beyond belief, but...
They triumphed... by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. — Revelation 12:11
In the end, these contemporary heroes of faith met their Heavenly Father and heard Him say,
Well done, good and faithful servant... Come and
share your Master’s happiness! — Matthew 25:23
Taking a stand for Jesus may not be easy, but it sure is worth it. Christians around the world are paying the ultimate price. Can’t we at least take our stand, make our voices heard, and share our faith?
by Jimmy Aycock