What is More Important?

 "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

    Within the pages of the latest newsletter I received from the Voice of the Martyrs, I learned of the persecutions Christians in Vietnam are facing. 

    Many of their people are animists who worship spirits believed to inhabit the world around them as well as the spirits of their deceased ancestors. Fortune tellers and witch doctors are consulted for advice on health and success. The darkness of this demonic oppression runs deeply in this Communistic country, raining blows of suffering upon those who profess Christ. 

    The story is told of a man and wife, Cai and Hein, who found just a glimmer of hope one day while on the internet. It was there they heard of the powerful, loving God of the Christians, but they needed to know more. Soon, God sent some traveling traders who shared the Good News with them, which they accepted with joy.

    In response to their newfound faith, they burned the animistic altar which had been in their home. This began waves of persecution from their community and the government as all forms of support were withheld from their family. Their electricity was cut off, they were denied police protection and Cai was falsely arrested and imprisoned. Even their children were denied enrollment in the local school. To feed her family, Hein had to harvest edibles from the forest.

    Have you ever wondered why the persecutions against Christianity are so vehement and violent? What was it about Jesus that caused Him to be so hated? Why were the apostles of the early church martyred for their faith? 

    The apostle Paul listed the hardships he suffered for Christ: imprisoned, flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry and thirsty, cold and naked and in constant danger. Yet, in his letter to the Romans he declared, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

    The reason behind the hatred is because those who live in darkness do not want to hear the voice of Truth. Though the light of Christ came into the world, people loved the darkness, not wishing to be exposed. (John 3: 19, 20)

    As I read about those like Cai and Hein who are my relatives in the family of God, I pray for faith like theirs which remains even if all else is lost. I will close with this quote from Hein who said it best: "Even if Cai stays in prison, we believe in Jesus and have eternal life. If he (Cai) is free here and doesn't believe in Jesus, we don't have eternal life. What is more important? We want to have eternal life, so we can accept any suffering in our life."

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3