Hereby perceive we the love
of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren.
1
John 3:16
Decades ago the Soviet Union imposed atheism and forced Christians to
renounce their faith or face terrible consequences. During this dark period in the history of Russian, many kept the faith by meeting secretly to pray, worship and teach the Gospel.
One Sunday, in the early 1970's, a few believers quietly made their way to an "underground" church outside Moscow. They arrived in small groups throughout the day so as
not to arouse the suspicion of the NKVD - the Soviet Secret Police.
When everyone gathered
together they began singing a quiet hymn. Suddenly, they heard heavy steps
approaching the front door. Without warning two uniformed officers, loaded weapons at the ready, burst into the house. One of them shouted, “If you wish to renounce your
commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!”
Three of the quiet Christians quickly left, then another. As the two
secret police glared at the others, two more of the frightened believers fled. “This
is your last chance,” the second officer commanded. “Either turn against your
faith in Christ,” he ordered, “or stay and suffer the consequences.” Abruptly, two
more slipped out into the night.
After that, the intimidation no longer worked. No one else moved a muscle.
Parents tried to reassure their frightened children beside them, fully
expecting to be gunned down or imprisoned in the Gulag. Then, one of the soldiers closed the
door and locked it securely.
He turned to the few remaining worshipers and spoke, “We raided another house
church just like this several weeks ago to arrest a group of believers.”
The
other officer interrupted, “But, instead, we became Christians there. We apologize
for chasing your friends away, but we have learned by experience that unless
people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted.”
The two officers then joined the core group in worship.
How would you react to the decision to run or die for your faith? It is the
ultimate measure of what your individual faith in Jesus means to you.
If only we could deepen our relationship with the Lord so that our minds are
focused on heavenly things rather than being consumed with the worldly ones. Then,
it would be easy to make the truest decision should that day ever come. After
all, Jesus had the choice to live or die for us ... and He chose death, death
so that we could live.
Would you make the same choice for Him?
This Week’s Prayer
Courage, Dear Lord. I only
ask for the courage to do Your will, to choose You over all else, to make the
most of the blessings You have given me, and to make every decision for Your
sake alone. Amen.