Gaining Life

North Korea, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iran, the Maldives, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Iraq and Pakistan. Can you tell me what these nations have in common?

According to Open Doors USA, these are, in order, the top ten countries where Christians are persecuted. You've heard the expression, "It's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there?" Well, our brothers and sisters are not just trying to live in these countries, they actually do live there. They live there and, fearing persecution, they practice an underground form of Christianity.

In most of these countries that means no church buildings on every corner; it means no Bible studies at the local coffee shop, no wearing a cross or crucifix, no Sunday school or parochial school. It means no Christian TV or radio (although radio can beam in from other countries.) You get the idea?

All of this means the church in these places is dying. Right?

Actually, the answer is wrong. Rev. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, an organization which monitors persecution, says so many Muslims are converting to Christianity in nations like Iran that they may constitute a fourth major branch of the global church (along with Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians.) Can you believe it?

For these people to believe in Christ means they run the risk of losing friends, business, family and life. Still they believe.

But isn’t that exactly what Jesus said would happen as we live in these End Times? Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. ¹² "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ This will result in your being witnesses to them. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ All men will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By standing firm you will gain life. Luke 21:10-18

Did you hear what Jesus said? “By standing firm you will gain life!”

Sort of reminds me of that hymn: “And do what they will -- Hate, steal, hurt, or kill -- Though all may be gone, Our victory is won; The kingdom's ours forever!” (CW: 200)

As we get ready to celebrate 85 years of standing firm, we examine the life the Lord of the Church has granted us. Looking outward encourages us to look inward. In my ministry report, I focused on the physical blessings we’ve enjoyed this past year. But the spiritual blessings I want to mention in this devotion are even greater – bringing a man and a woman together as husband and wife; pouring water on a child’s head and giving that child life eternal; taking adults through a basic teachings class of the Bible and seeing their faith grow week by week; sometimes force-feeding 8^th graders the Word of Life so they are ready to taste the Bread of Life at their confirmation; feeding God’s people on a weekly basis with the Bread and Water of eternal life from this pulpit and with the Body and Blood of life in the Lord’s Supper; bringing comfort to a hurting soul whose body is hurting in the hospital; ushering a saint’s soul to heaven at the Christian funeral.

The Church around the world is alive with life! And we are alive here, too, at Epiphany! Amen.

Devotion for Voters Meeting, January 23, 2012