Gospel Risk-takers

In the time it takes to read this page, another Christian will be killed because of his or her faith in Jesus Christ. 160,000 believers around the world 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.In Odisha (Orissa) state, three months of intimidation and assaults in two villages in eastern India has left four Christians hospitalized and others injured, two houses damaged, and the entire Christian community unable to do business or draw water from the town well.

The boycott of the Christians of Dangarguda village, led by some Hindu nationalist residents, began in April. The Christians were prohibited from buying and selling, and from fetching drinking water from the public well because of their faith in Christ. In many regions nationalist Hindus enjoy popular and bureaucratic support in their campaign to make India a purely Hindu society.

Jesus predicted that you will probably be disposed of quickly and without pause like a lion eats a lamb: “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 indescribable torment endured by so many; but beautiful in their humble Christ-likeness as they are afflicted, persecuted, struck down; but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4). When believers are crushed by suffering, the aroma of Christ stretches 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 those enemies of the cross. However, I dread a greater danger than death. I dread the consequences of not taking a risk for the gospel. What will I suffer if I refuse to suffer for Christ? What will I lose if I refuse to lose my life for Jesus 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 that produces supernatural affection and compassion 

Puttasingh Village, Odisha

within you towards those who are harming you. At the same time, when one can praise God instead of denying him in the midst 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 believers and churches. This is how suffering and persecution nearly always advance both personal sanctification 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 missionary madmen (2 Cor. 11:23). But God is glorified by them; and the world‘s unharvested fields need many more like them.

--Russ Sharrock