“We have to stay and uphold the name of Christ in this
state,” a pastor named James told Open Doors. “We are willing to pay the price
for our calling. We don’t only share the
Gospel when things are rosy. It is to be
done in every situation. Hunger and want
will never discourage us. Swords and
guns, even the roar of the devil, will only encourage us to stand first for
Christ. If we die, our blood will speak about Christ to our killers.”
state,” a pastor named James told Open Doors. “We are willing to pay the price
for our calling. We don’t only share the
Gospel when things are rosy. It is to be
done in every situation. Hunger and want
will never discourage us. Swords and
guns, even the roar of the devil, will only encourage us to stand first for
Christ. If we die, our blood will speak about Christ to our killers.”
Wow. What dedication and faith.
I just submitted my article on Nigeria to be edited and published. With it, another one about two women who escaped the clutches of Boko Haram, keeping them from being martyrs. Amidst all the violence and chaos (so terrible it is currently beyond words), while watching their loved ones flee or be murdered, Christians are not only remaining faithful to Christ by not denying Him, but they are staying in Nigeria to keep Christ’s presence in that country.
Wow. Here in America, we are lucky to even voice our opinion about Christ, much less be that kind of faithful.
But that is what Jesus calls us to do. He calls us to be as faithful as these Nigerian Christians. Through good and bad, through life and death, stay faithful to Him.
And no, not all Christians in Nigeria have remained faithful to the end. There are stories of Christian women who were freed from slavery because they converted to Islam, some at the end of a knife blade.
It saddens my heart to learn of their plight. And yet, it also inspires. How wonderful that there are Christians in the world who will be faithful! They will not bend to Satan and the pressures of this world. What an encouragement to other believers!
Their suffering should inspire us to be more vocal, to stand up for Jesus, and to proclaim His name. As Boko Haram did attack after attack after attack leading up to Easter, Christians fasted and prayed.
Have these Nigerians inspired you? They have inspired me. And it is definitely some inspiration that I needed. After yesterday’s emotional experience, then reading Asia Bibi’s book, I needed inspiration that the world was not all evil. God gave that to me. That anger was turned into inspiration. What a glorious thing!
I look forward to the articles being published and hearing your feedback. Pray for Nigeria. It is breaking at the seams. Those Christians are depending on us to back them up with prayer. Will you pray for and with them?
http://voices.yahoo.com/christian-blood-speaks-christ-12627810.html
