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stacky1 · Apr 15, 2009, 01:45 PM

This is just something to think about. We were talking about it in one of my bible studies a while back and I just wanted to know what other peoples opinions were.

We were talking about these people from another country where christianity is against the law(I don't remember the country though). This family was christian and they never denied it. They had a place(I can't remember if it was a church or just in their house, sorry I can't remember all of the details) where they worshiped and welcomed other people to worship there also. They did this in the streets also even though it was against the law and they would be arrested and could be killed. There was a warrant out for their arrest and I think two of the family members got arrested. We were talking about in my bible study, would you be faithful enough that you would not deny that you were a christian and be sent to jail and possibily killed? I don't think I could do it. I don't think I would be strong enough to stand up for my faith if it meant being killed.

Another thing we talked about was, in the bible when abraham was going to sacrifice his son. We were talking about, if god told you to kill your child, would you do it. If he asked you to sacrifice you son for him. I know that I couldn't. Even if I knew that he was going to go to heaven and be all right, I still wouldn't be able to do it.

I was just wondering what other people thought about this.

Triund · Apr 15, 2009, 04:03 PM

This is really a very difficult decision to make. One has to be very very strong to be like Abraham. I try to be strong enough to walk away from temptations, yet I give in quite offently. Persecutions of Christians is very rampant in Muslim countries. In India it is not different though she is a secular country. Rapes of nuns, burning down churches, killing evangelists, disrupting christian prayer meetings is common in Hindu majority India. In Pakistan and Muslim dominated countries, many cases had been reported about injustice with Christians. Yet there are people in those countries who are so staunch Christians that they only focus on Christ and happily give up their lives. I think if I am given a choice between dying for Christ and living by denying Christ, I would pick the first. Dying once for Christ would be much better and painless than living denying HIM. Every breath, I would take after the denial would be very painful. And then what answer would I have when I face Lord Jesus when I die after the denial.

About sacrificing a loved one if God says, I would go for that because, I get all things from HIM. I have no kids yet, but when they come, they would be a God's blessing to me. So if God is asking for something which HE has given me, how could I claim that thing as mine? I always remember the verse from Job 1:21, "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD".

As it is, a true follower of Lord Jesus does not walk on the "broad path". When did Jesus say that HIS followers would have an easy life? HE has, for sure, assured us of having a wonderful life with HIM in heaven. Jesus has told us to take up our cross and follow HIM.

Responses to my posting are welcomed.

jandtspencer · Apr 15, 2009, 04:33 PM

That's pretty heavy stuff to think about. No one knows for sure what they would do in any situation until you are there. And if I was told to do something by GOD, then that would be so indescribable in itself that you just can't get past that to think about doing anything else! I think everyone coul;d agree that we would probably not be abl;e to do either of those things whole heartedly, but you know that's what is great about our GOD. He knows we are not perfect and helps us through things we cannot handle alone and loves us the same no matter what.

belovedgift · May 26, 2009, 10:12 AM

Christ is the final sacrifice God demanded. However,Christ makes it clear that we will suffer many things for his name sake,and even be rewarded for this action. The original disciples were murded all save John. Several have been qouted in history as counting it a joy to endure in the sufferings of Christ. When the Spirit of God leads us to the pain of death as a testamony he empowers us to endure it with grace. He is the Comforter. The question in my heart is not shall I die to the flesh,but rather in it. Consider this, from the moment we start suckin' air we are dead in the flesh. God told Adam that to dust he was and to dust he did return. Every time we inhale we intake dust, which is nothing mor than dead skin cells from persons left in the vicinity. In order for our flesh to grow, it has to kill of the old to reform the new. So you see in this sense we are truly dead men walkin'. Yes, I would look forward to the opportunity to end this flesh for a testimony.

zippit · May 26, 2009, 10:23 AM

Abraham had a relationship with the father it wasn't like one day god popped up and asked this of him,we can only imagine what it would be like to have that kind of intimacy with God,its not needed anymore because we have the bible and that has been given to us to sustain us through our "times of the end",faith without works is dead we will all have our own tests before its over..

homesell · May 26, 2009, 04:10 PM

Zippit,
Intimacy with God is always needed. Christianity IS the relationship with God - not the mindless rituals we call religion.
We can experience it here and now.
You are right though, we cannot imagine what an incredible intimacy is to come.

Fr_Chuck · May 26, 2009, 06:52 PM

During the communist years in Russia, there were more babies baptised there than in the US where it was OK.

In fact the "freedom" from religion here in the US is often the thing that makes Christians weak, non effective and so easily split.

If christians could be killed for being so, I doubt we would have had all the denominations we do today, people would have worked together since they had to.

Triund · May 28, 2009, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

During the communist years in Russia, there were more babies baptised there than in the US where it was ok.

In fact the "freedom" from religion here in the US is often the thing that makes Christians weak, non effective and so easily split.

If christians could be killed for being so, I doubt we would have had all the denominations we do today, people would have worked together since they had to.

I fully agree with you.

And also people would happily greet saying Haapy Id, Happy Diwali, Happy Halloween and so on, but when it is Christamas time, then Happy Holidays. When other religions are respected, why is this discrimination with Christianity?