To Live and Die for Christ
I’m not saying that we should start any kind of Christian Jihad. I guess it is best to define terms. Martyr comes from the greek word for “witness”. The Early Christians were witnesses to Jesus Christ—His preaching, His teaching, His miracles, His passion, death, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven. It’s also important to point out that God values every human life. He doesn’t want you to die. But we have to remember that Jesus said:
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
~ John 15:13-14
He knew that his disciples would face hardship, persecution, and martyrdom. And die they did. They were crucified and fed to lions. They were forced to prove their faith and many of them did, giving their lives rather than deny their faith in Jesus Christ. Can we say the same? Are we willing to lay down our lives for our faith? It doesn’t necessarily mean to die, for there are two types of martyrdom—red martyrdom and white martyrdom. The red martyrs are those whose blood is shed because of their faith. Whereas the white martyrs are those who give their life, who live their life, for their faith.
Faith without Works
Faith isn’t just about what we believe, but how our belief that Jesus Christ is Lord changes the way we live our lives. Faith calls us to action.
“Just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
~ James 2:26
These are strong words, but true nonetheless. It is a reminder that we can say that we believe, we can talk about how much we believe, but unless our lives reflect our faith, then our faith is dead, worthless.
The story of the Martyrdom of Eleazar is a beautiful example not only of martyrdom, but “a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation” (31). When forced to deny his faith or die, he chose death, and not with a woe is me attitude, but one of courage. His persecutors even encouraged him to pretend to deny the faith, but even then he said no.
“At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many of the young would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. If I dissemble to gain a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring defilement and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid human punishment, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hand of the Almighty. Therefore, by bravely giving up life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws.”
~ 2 Maccabees 6:24-28
Public not Private
And when it comes to living out our faith it cannot be a private affair. Christianity requires community. How can we love like Jesus does if we don’t have any “neighbors”? Our faith is meant to be lived publicly. We are not of this world, but we are in it. So we must do all we can to change it, to bring about the kingdom.
The Early Christians had to practice their faith in hiding for fear of death. We who have the freedom to practice our faith publicly hide it for a different kind of fear. We fear ridicule. We fear what others might think. Not very justifiable is it? Our faith should influence every aspect of our lives—our politics, our work ethic, our family values, our morals, etc.
Christianity is faith in action. You and I are called to be martyrs, to be witnesses to Jesus Christ. Are you willing to live and die for your faith?
It’s important to remember that the persecution of Christians isn’t just some event in ancient history, but it continues to happen in certain parts of the world even today. Let us pray for those of our brothers and sisters who still face the fear of death because of their faith in Jesus. Their courage should inspire us to take our faith a little more seriously.