We are free

We are free, living here in America. As Christians here, about the worst thing that might happen to us is having someone tease us or ridicule our beliefs. The Voice of the Martyrs is a group that works with the persecuted church around the globe. In their monthly newsletter they included a quote from their founder, Richard Wurmbrand, who would have been 100 years old this year. It caught my attention, and I wanted to share it with all of you.

"It must be understood that there are no nominal, halfhearted, lukewarm Christians in Russia or China. The price Christians pay is far too great. The next point to remember is that persecution has always produced a better Christian -- a witnessing Christian, a soul-winning Christian. Communist persecution has backfired and produced serious, dedicated Christians such as are rarely seen in free lands. These people cannot understand how anyone can be a Christian and not want to win every soul they meet."

This quote is an excerpt from Wurmbrand's book, "Tortured for Christ". I'm am convicted of being a nominal, halfhearted, lukewarm Christian. Reading stories about Christians in other nations who endure torture, imprisonment, and are often killed for their faith, makes my lack of enthusiasm for sharing Christ seem so much more appalling.

Want to push your own boundaries? Be convicted of your lukewarm Christianity? Become a more dedicated Christian? Check out Voice of the Martyrs by clicking the link above or visiting www.persecution.com. They also have a site for children -- www.KidsOfCourgae.com.

"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."

"A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but only the things he is willing to die for."

(More quotes from Richard Wurmbrand)