Christians tortured and persecuted Elsewhere in the world.

by Bev Beymer

  In certain countries around the world, especially the middle eastern countries, martyrdom is still as vivid and alive as when Christ was hung on the cross.

Westerners are so far removed from the actual physical affects of the violence that seizes individuals on a moment to moment basis in other parts of the world that a few moments of thought; a tear or two when a story really touches the heart; or a soft comment is made when the reality of it all is brought to our attention, is about all we give to these brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes. Our brothers and sisters.

While we ponder over whether we should teach a Sunday School class, or join the choir, they are concerned with how they will die (in some of these countries) if they are found out to be a Christian.

While we practice the drama we are going to put on for Easter, they are practicing the real drama of how they will escape when the enemy comes for them.

It is terribly hard for westerners to imagine (unless they are missionaries to a foreign country, or perhaps are employed by a company that is based or has offices in a foreign land) the extent of the turmoil that Christians face each and every day. To walk a mile in the shoes of one of these pictured here may be almost impossible for us. We fret over interest rates, taxes, insurance, paved streets, cleaner bath water, stop signs, civil rights, and actor¹s opinions.

 In the picture at left, a Pakistani woman known only as Gulnaz, is shown with the scars she has received at the hands of "unknown" torturers who burned and beat her with branding irons and hot coals in an attempt to get her to renounce Christ, and return to Islam. She bears those scars with a smile, thankful that she can be a part of the "fellowship of Christ's sufferings" (Phil. 3:10).

We work at getting faster internet access, fancier e-mails, faster cars, and sewing machines that do everything. In contrast, they spend every moment in fear, watching and wondering if they will be caught in any given hour. It makes one feel rather small when we meditate on the contrast.

Do we have persecution here in America? Yes we do. Mostly it is subtle though, because our forefathers guaranteed us a better life with freedom of religion in this truly blessed nation.

Persecution here comes in forms of racism, finances or poverty, being stifled in our job status or positions, verbal abuse, judgmentalisms, types of alienation.

No one breaks down the door of our home in the middle of the night and physically takes us up out of our bed, dragging us out of our homes, throwing us into a car, and taking us to a place where they beat us with hoses, or force water by the gallon down our throats. No one stands on our feet and twists us until the pain is so bad we scream, then stuff rags down our throats to shut us up, while our hands are tied behind our backs.

They would if they could. And things are marching inexorably in that direction. Christians here are being held up to public ridicule and censorship, and that is just the first step. That is our enemy's way. He is on this earth to rob, kill, and destroy. And that is what we see him doing, all over the world. And he is trying to get into America to do the same. 911 was a sample of his determination.

We must remember to hate the sin and still love the sinner, but we must also discern the enemy and be alert and aware at all times. We MUST pray continually for all the saints everywhere.