Message summary: Today we pray for sufficient courage to stand strong in our faith and no matter what happens, that we will conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (see Philippians 1:27).

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Many of us are following the atrocious conditions in China which are impacting millions of their citizens (perhaps hundreds of millions). Although we have not heard in this instance that Christians are being specifically targeted we have read of the increasing persecution our Chinese brethren are enduring.

How would you describe your faith in Christ? Is it a safe faith? We might not use the expression “safe faith” but most all of us would like to live out our Christian faith in a safe setting. We don’t want to be hassled or ridiculed about our beliefs, let alone experience more severe forms of persecution.

But beginning in the New Testament and all through church history many of Christ's followers have not had safe faith. In our own age millions of our fellow believers suffer due to their allegiance to Christ and must demonstrate courageous faith. This further draws attention from godless authorities who want to silence their message. They don’t shrink back but have unwavering faith in the face of danger. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved" (Hebrews 10:39).

One Laotian expressed it this way: “As a follower of Jesus, I believe why I die is more important than when I die. If I die serving God it is better than to die in a hospital.”

Devout followers like this Asian brother spur us on to express a courageous faith like Paul who famously wrote, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain". But today let us consider the context in which this oft memorized statement was made. Paul was imprisoned awaiting trial. His "crime" was related to his preaching the Gospel. As he looked ahead he wrote:

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed". The reason for his potential shame would have been his failure to continue to testify and live for Christ in the midst of his persecution. In any age when undergoing a trial we may be tempted to concede in one way or another. Today as we witness the moral free-fall America is going through (yesterday we saw the legislative desecration of marriage which will soon be signed into law)*. We must stand firm in our conviction to Biblical truth no matter how great the temptation is to concede. Increasingly this will lead to persecution and already is for many.

"But will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Bible teacher Gene Getz writes, "The opposite behavior from being ashamed is to have sufficient courage". May God give us sufficient courage to take a strong biblical stand regarding the moral slide of our nation and world, the false teachings that confront our generation, and also the authorities that have sided with the popular trends of society that stand in direct contrast to the Word of God. Paul's desire is so laudable, "that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death".

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". I suspect many of us have merely memorized these words which is commendable, but we can easily miss the point since it is usually quoted in reference to facing natural death, such as one going through a severe illness that may lead to death. But Paul was writing of martyrdom, which he eventually experienced, noting that either way he wins because his life's goal is to be with Jesus.

"If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!" As it turned out he did "go on living in the body" and had "fruitful labor" right up till the end (2 Timothy 4). Ultimately however he didn't choose, for that decision alone is in God's hands!

It's that way with all of us. Why was Stephen (Acts 7) and James (Acts 12) taken so early in their ministry? In modern times why was a relatively young Dietrich Bonheoffer slain just days before Hitler's demise and the liberation of Germany? Or Jim Elliot and the other martyrs in Ecuador?

Today we pray for sufficient courage to stand strong in our faith and no matter what happens, that we will conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (see Philippians 1:27).

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)