Sunday In the Trenches

This morning Pastor Ron preached on Hebrews 11. The great chapter of faith. What struck me, as I listened to the reading of the word, is how the early Christians were literally terrorized and tortured to their deaths. All they had to do was renounce Jesus, and they could have lived. Instead, they were martyred in ways so horrible we cannot fathom--flogged, death by sword, stoning, sawed in half, to name a few.

How it pales in comparison to the lives we desire to live. Men and women around the globe are being persecuted for their faith THIS VERY DAY. And we think we have it hard if someone laughs at us because we happen to mention we go to church on Sunday.

In Bible college, I will never forget the ratty old poster that was nailed at the top of the dining room stairs. It was a simple quote by CT Studd, but it impacted my life for the Lord and Missions:

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him. "

I live my life by this today, and I am quite sure that CT did, too. Here's his take:

"The "romance" of a missionary is often made up of monotony and drudgery; there often is no glamour in it; it doesn't stir a man's spirit or blood. So don't be a missionary as an experiment, it is useless and dangerous. Only come if you feel you would rather die than not come. Lord Wolsey was right: "A missionary ought to be a fanatic or he encumbers the ground." There are many trials and hardships. Disappointments are numerous. Don't come if you want to make a great name or want to live long. Come if you feel there is no greater honour, after living for Christ, than to die for Him. "

And to this I say, "Yes. Yes. Yes."

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. " (Romans 8:35 & 36)

I concur with Studd when he said, "Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell."