Gospel Risk-Takers

In the time it takes to read this post, another Christian will be beaten or killed because of his or her faith in Jesus Christ.  Around the world, 160,000 believers will be slaughtered this year alone...simply because they love Jesus.  This is not a news flash!  The physical risk of going public for the glory of God among

satanically dominated peoples is obvious.  

On July 29, 2016, Pastor Yohan Maraiah was mercilessly beaten to death in the eastern Godavari district of India’s state of Andhra Pradesh.  This was not the first time this pastor had been targeted.  He has suffered several attacks and had his church torched more than once.   

In many regions nationalist Hindus enjoy popular and bureaucratic support in their campaign to make India a purely Hindu society.

And in Vietnam a believer was severely beaten a local police officer in the first week of July.  The officer came with about 20 other young men with clubs and knives.  They came after him and shouted that he follows Jesus, and beat him until they thought he was dead.  These are only two of the thousands of examples of the severe persecution going on around the world.

Worship is a very risky activity for them.  But we admire them for taking the risk.  Why do you think they take that risk?

 What would you say about a group of believers that moved their worship out of suburban safety and into a neighborhood plagued by drug abuse and burglaries?  Not just as an outreach, but as a full-time ministry.  They take it for granted their building will be broken into and equipment stolen.  Would you consider them foolish, or bad stewards?  Would you call these believers fanatics?  Why do they take the risk?       

Whether they are in Pakistan or the United States, these risk-taking Christians seem to be living by a different set of rules.  I would suggest that they are simply taking their calling seriously.  Why should it be any different for us?

As a believer, Jesus predicted that you will be attacked like a lion eats a lamb.  He warned us to, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)  That’s the risk of identifying with Jesus in this world; and too many are frightened at the thought.

Scripture describes the killing of God’s people as horrible, yet beautiful.  Horrible because of the great suffering endured by so many; but beautiful in their humble Christ-likeness as they are afflicted, persecuted, struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4)  When believers are crushed by suffering, the aroma of Christ flows out even more widely and rapidly among the peoples.

This is biblical boldness; to plow through hostile resistance with the gentleness of Christ, and loving the hate out of the enemies of the cross.  However, I dread a greater danger than death.  I dread the consequences of not taking a risk for the gospel, but instead staying safely in my comfort zone.  What will I suffer if I refuse to suffer for Christ?  What will I lose if I refuse to lose my life for Jesus and for the nations?  What glory (Paul’s word, Romans 8:18) will I miss out on if I avoid suffering for the gospel?

There is something in suffering for the gospel, which produces supernatural love and compassion within you toward those wanting to harm you.  At the same time, when one can praise God instead of denying Him in the middle of suffering, unbelievers take notice.  Some will be saved, which causes more persecution, which will fuel even more passionate and bold sharing of the gospel.  The result is that whole new regions are quickly populated with new believers and churches. 

This is how suffering and persecution nearly always advances both personal spiritual growth in the sufferer, and the more rapid, wide-ranging growth of the gospel among the persecutors.

There is nothing more powerful in evangelism than a life humbly laid down for Christ and the gospel.  Gospel risk-takers are “crazy for Christ” missionaries. (2 Corinthians 11:23)  But God is glorified by them; and the world’s unharvested fields need many more like them. 

“That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

 

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing

change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.