Martyrs Don't Choose Martyrdom

They choose to stand firm in their convictions

The fact there are people we call martyrs should be humbling. If we revere them at all, it should lead us a greater accountability in our own lives. Whether Stephen in the first century (Acts 7), Perpetua and Felicity in third century Carthage, or more recently Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyrs do not choose to be martyred. They choice they make is to remain steadfast in their convictions.

In the 21st Century western world we have but a vague concept of genuine persecution. Too many of our contemporaries will back down from a ‘mean tweet’ or a friend who doesn’t want them at the party any longer. We shed our convictions at the appearance or mere mention of an inconvenience.

Christian: Do you truly believe what you say you believe? Can you honestly withstand the pressure of standing firm on your beliefs with a looming penalty of death? Do you believe that strongly? Martyrs don’t compromise. Stepping away from being critical of others, I have to ask myself—is my life a series of compromises?

Teaching others to observe what Jesus commanded (The Great Commission, Matt 28:18-20) requires understanding and modeling what Jesus taught. He lived and believed it all the way to the torture and torment of crucifixion on a Roman cross. The early apostles all suffered greatly as they carried out the propagation of the Gospel, and most were martyred. They lived what they believed.

What about us? You and me? Do we believe we can stand firm when the hard questions are posed even as we compromise our beliefs in small doses along the way?

We need to go. We need to make disciples and baptize them. We need to teach them to observe all Jesus taught or commanded us. Without fear. Without compromise. And with the conviction that what we profess is actually true.

It’s not just now time. It’s long overdue.