WHEN THE TIME COMES TO BE MARTYRED

Christians, of all the people groups, have been particularly subjected to killing all through the history. There are very few people groups, and very few places in this world, where Christians were not subjected to large-scale persecution and killing. Many, as of today, are seeing a change in the way things are going for Christians. There is a general feeling that in the near future, Christians would be subjected to killing – probably like never before in the history of mankind.
– “9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” – Matthew 24:9-12

John Wesley, the English founder of Methodism, wrote the following words in a letter, on *17 April in 1776.*
– “You have now such faith as is necessary for your living unto God. As yet you are not called to die. When you are, you shall have faith for this also.” – John Wesley

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Pastor and theologian, who stood against the Nazis, and had ultimately paid the price with his life, has the following words for us. These words are part of his 1937 book, “The Cost of Discipleship” – which is well known.
– “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Death for a Christian, is a daily affair. This is a unique and out of the world kind of concept. As Christians…
– We are called to die to sin, to the flesh, to the world and to all that is unrighteous.
– We are called to die just as a seed dies to self, yet lives by giving birth to the tree. This in turn gives birth to more seeds and more trees.
– We are also called to die for Christ our LORD, if such a call comes knocking our doors.

When a group of people, a society and a nation begins to persecute Christians, it often leads to killing them.  In some cases, many may not be killed; in some instances a whole lot of Christians may be killed. The hate for Christians is spiritual and the hate is because the world hates the LORD Jesus Christ. Therefore, as the LORD Jesus’ disciples we are to expect persecution and killing. It is but natural.
– “18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” – John 15:18-21

As times change and hate for Christians increases, let us walk wisely, redeeming the time. Let us not worry about why such things are happening. They will persecute Christians and will certainly kill us. Let us walk wisely.
– “15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16

Let us be prepared for the worse to come, even as we hope that our LORD would help us live through it, and if need be, willingly offer our lives as a token of our love for the LORD Jesus Christ. WHEN THE TIME COMES TO BE MARTYRED the LORD Himself will guide us and lead us. Are we prepared to be martyred for Christ the LORD? Even so the LORD help us.