26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is one of the qualifications listed for Paul and Barnabas to be messengers of the Gospel. So many of us risk almost nothing for the Gospel’s sake. We fold under the smallest pressure. As soon as there is pressure, we give up trying. These two leaders in the early Church risked their lives. Paul was stoned and left for dead. I admire those around the world who today are facing this type of persecution for their faith in Jesus. Two websites might help you understand what is happening around the world. Their first is Voice of the Martyrs. It keeps updated accounts of what is currently happening around the world. Persecuted Church has links to help you know what to do to help those suffering persecution. It is not enough to simply say we follow Jesus, we must be willing to keep that belief even when the political winds turn against our beliefs. With the passage of Hate Crimes legislation which was attached to the Defense Appropriations Bill, pastors will have the opportunity to be persecuted for proclaiming the truth. And people will be dragged into court because of this legislation. Luckily, stoning is not a normal part of our judicial system. For most of us this legislation hidden in the must-pass bill will have little to do with our everyday lives. Most of us won’t end up in court. But what if Congress does pass a law that forces our hands, what would we do? Would we continue to live and proclaim the Truth or would be shut up and hide? Someday we might have to face this kind of choice. I pray that we are faithful to the end. Paul and Barnabas had proved themselves faithful and were being sent out again with a message of freedom.
The Arnold Journey 