Preparing for Martyrdom
- Strength For Life
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
One of the reasons we have Strength for Life is to prepare Christians for potential martyrdom. The role of Biblical pastors, in part, is to cultivate strong Christians who are deeply rooted in their Christian faith, to the point that they understand why the message of the Bible is worth dying for, and to the point that they are committed to following and believing it if martyrdom is ever required.
Historically, it has been difficult to fathom that American Christians could be martyred for their faith. After all, America has been a unique safe haven of religious liberty over the last 250 years. However, even the casual Christian observer has probably begun to recognize that American culture is more anti-God and anti-Bible than ever. As pluralism takes its toll and secularism runs its course, a host of religions—Islam, Hinduism, cults, woke “Christianity—and irreligions, like transgenderism, have discovered their voice. The enemies of God appear to sense an opportunity in this cultural moment. Charlie Kirk’s assassination (and martyrdom) has certainly confirmed many wicked people in their wickedness and hardened their resolve.
Additionally, while we have been uniquely blessed in our country, remember that in many places around the world today, and throughout human history, Christians have been arrested, imprisoned, and martyred simply because they maintained public allegiance to Christ. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs famously catalogs many of those Christian heroes who chose to remain faithful and suffer rather than recant. Judging from the spiritual direction of America and the world, I suggest that we are just a generation or two from extreme levels of hostility being directed towards American Christians.
Even now we see the groundwork being laid. Opposition to truth started small and slow, but now the devil’s agenda has gathered momentum. In the 60s and 70s the target was prayer, and the 10 Commandments were extracted from the public schools. Then it was abortion. More recently, in 2015, same sex "marriage" was pronounced legal in all 50 states. Now, we have millions of Americans defending transgenderism. The space left by Christianity is increasing filled by blatant paganism, which of course approves any debauchery our sin-sick country can dream up. Among the most alarming aspects of opposition to the truth is the newfound power of technology to control information and to control speech. On one hand, the Christian voice is “deplatformed” or “canceled” by culture in a way others are not; on the other hand, “free speech” is used to give sinners a free pass to say and do whatever is in their wicked hearts. On top of all of it, when these plans are exposed, very little is actually done to bring about justice. While it was encouraging to hear many of our nation’s leaders speak about Christ at Charlie Kirk’s recent memorial service, it is not yet clear that there is a revival of the people. The Christian’s message of good news requires us to clearly denounce sin of all types. If there is no revival, such speech will not be tolerated in America, even by free speech advocates.
Once again, part of the job of a biblical pastor is to prepare Christians for martyrdom. Strength for Life is attempting to meet that need on various social media platforms by teaching the Bible, explaining what it means, and constantly describing how what God has to say is important and relevant to the way we live.
When we understand what Scripture means and why it matters, we will be better prepared for the situation Jesus described in Matthew 5:11-12. Yes, there may be persecution, but we will be able to engage in the “rejoicing” as well as share in the “reward in heaven” reserved for those that face persecution.
As much as I am genuinely thankful for the biblical foundation of our great country, I am even more thankful that my primary citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, you are still a citizen only of this earth. Admit that you’re a sinner, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Come to Christ today!
If you do know Christ as your Savior, you should be dissatisfied with a merely superficial understanding of the Bible. Dig deeply into the Word of God. As we prepare ourselves, and the generation of our children, for the hostility that always eventually comes to outspoken Christians in a pagan world, I encourage you to especially consider the book of 1 Peter. This letter was written to encourage believers undergoing fierce persecution. It would be better to know, understand, and love these words before they become necessary to apply!
I end this article with instruction from the same book of 1 Peter. As you read these words, hear the martyrs from across the centuries echoing them. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
The above article was written by Pastor James C. Johnson. He is the pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fl. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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