My brother and sister-in-Christ, the Griswold's, wanted me to borrow their movie, "Polycarp." I had never heard of the movie, let alone know that it was about one of John the Apostle's students. Being that it was a nice rainy afternoon the other day, I put the movie in and let my oldest child watch it with me. It starts off with the auctioning off of a slave girl. Considering that she could have been bought by a perverse tyrant, she was also pursued by a Christian family and with help from a man named Polycarp, Anna was able to leave with the Christian family. Polycarp was a Christian man who was taught by John. To make a long story short, because of their (Christians) refusal to worship other gods and name Caesar as their lord, they either fled or stayed to face persecution. One boy that was adopted by the Christian family, was tried for treason and forced to die in the arena by being mauled by lions. Anna felt as though it was her fault for the boy's death and during this time, she was still unsure about the God that Polycarp served. When Polycarp came to Anna, he told her not to be sad about his death. Polycarp had gone to the arena and witnessed the killing and told Anna that the boy was so unafraid with death, that he ran toward the lions. I lost it! I couldn't stop crying!
We hear about modern-day persecution stories from television or books, but do we really comprehend what it is like to die for Christ or even face persecution? We think that things like being mauled by lions or being burned to death are so far from us, but is it? Even today, there are Christians who are being persecuted and killed for the cause of Christ in third world countries. After reading the horror stories and even after watching this movie, my faith in God has increased. I don't count being disagreed with or even confronted by an unbeliever who verbally disagrees with me as persecution. We have no idea of real persecution, but unfortunately, one day we will. Are we ready to face it? Will we die for the name of Christ? If your mind is filled with doubts and fear, be reminded that we are promised that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us. He will give us a peace that passes all understanding. He also has a mansion waiting on us in paradise and we can be assured that He keeps His promises.
So the next time someone ridicules you or mocks your faith, thank God for keeping you safe. When our faith comes under attack physically, thank God for giving you a home with Him. Those who worry too much about what could be, haven't put their full trust in the Lord. The Lord calls us to not be anxious for nothing. Our temporary lives here on earth are not meant to be held on to. We live this life to raise up godly young men and women, share with others about what Christ has done for them, and glorify God with the talents He has given us. Don't fear what is to come. Don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will have enough to worry about. Trust in the Lord and when the time comes to where you will be given the choice to live and deny Christ or die and gain Him, choose Christ and you will live in eternity with Him. Nothing here on earth is worth going to Hell for, I promise.
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