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Volume. XXIX, No. 15 Small Steps with Big Risks
Were you able to walk freely this week? I have been compelled to appreciate our freedoms in far greater ways as a result of reading a report on the difficulties in Nigeria where the Boko Harem have resorted to using chain saws to wipe out Christians in the northern section of the country. The report says the threat is more serious to the world than IS, Al Qaida, Iran, or Yemen. Yet, this summer I heard a prominent Christian leader from Nigeria, speaking in London, urge believers here in the UK to remain steadfast in the Christian faith, according to the Bible. He said the when people from his congregation go to worship they never know if or when they will be the subject of the rampages that happen so frequently. But he testified that they have no plans to turn away from Christ nor to back away from inviting others to Him. When asked what could be done better to impact London, he commented, “Speak to people about the Gospel of Christ.” He went on to say that too many of us in London during commutes, bury our heads in our reading material and completely miss opportunities to speak with those sitting beside us. When I mentioned that idea to a friend from Spain, having formerly lived in London, he immediately asked if I have yet been arrested for speaking to people on the Underground. Turning to his wife who has worked in London for many years, he asked, “Who speaks to people on the Underground?” She said, “The profile of people who speak to others on the Underground is that either they are engaged in human trafficking, mentally deranged, or panhandling for money.” That is a serious indictment. I have not seen that posted as a law anywhere, but the threat raises a question. Shall we give up speaking to others about the Good News of Christ? In a word, No! Please understand, that does not mean that we should be obnoxious in speaking to others, in public or private. But we really need to pray for opportunities and trust the Lord to guide us in what to say and how to say it. The task is urgent, but it is to be done with great care. We must endeavor to model what the Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian believers: “We then as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain… behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed…”(2 Cor. 6:1-3). There are very real risks in speaking but there is a great benefit for witnessing for Christ. Fellow workers for from the Middle East wrote the following about risking all to find new freedom. I am editing their message to protect both location and identification: Last year we met a couple who shared their testimony of how they came into the "family" since their arrival to this country. It was an incredible testament to their faith and proclamation of His Name. A little over a year ago, this couple, along with 4 bags and their young son, walked across their country's border. They left behind their families, home, possessions, friends, and careers. [The couple] have told us of the longest 20 minutes when they were crossing their country's border. It was so "long" because every step they took, they didn't know if they would step onto a land mine, be shot, or maybe evened imprisoned. They had great fear living in their country and took this bold step (like so many others) and walked away from their life...literally! Contrary to what many believe, this couple was from a prominent family. They both were part of the upper middle class society of their great city. They fear that if news got back to their families about coming to know the Lord, it could and will put their parents and siblings in great danger or even cost them their lives. Notice, they left all in search of liberty and freedom. God saw them in their pursuit and delivered them, not only from the landmines, but in a far greater measure, He delivered them from their bondage to sin and death to new life through Jesus Christ. They are now walking through our broken world, with its own share of landmines, not on the usual battlefield, but in the highways and byways of life. They face danger points and temptations, but with faith in our Lord to see them through. Again quoting the Apostle Paul: For we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Hoping to point you to Jesus, Dr Carl T. Martin (This article is taken from the weekly (5 Oct 2014) of New Life B-P Church, London)
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