Martyrs

Beirut

October 23, 1983

16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18who have strayed concerning the truth,saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
2 Peter 1: 16 - 18 NKJV

On October 23, 1983, at the age of 17, I was shown just how vehemently man would go in defending his faith.  For it was on this day that 307 soldiers were killed in the city of Beirut in the war torn country of Lebanon.  241 United States soldiers died on that day.  I recall asking my mom about a word which I kept hearing on tv...martyr.  She told me that a martyr was someone died for their religion.  How right she was.  Eventually, a group calling itself Islamic Jihad, an offshoot of the Iranian backed Hezbollah, claimed responsibility for the attack.  That much didn't seem to matter, as it wouldn't bring back those who had lost their lives that day.  I've found myself asking the question over the years, what would make someone so delusional in their beliefs where they would come to the decision that taking the life of one who disagrees with their faith was acceptable to the religion they claim to follow.  After all, almost all of the religions which I know of often preach peace and love for all mankind.  Of grace and forgiveness towards others.  Where did we go wrong?  How is it that we, as Gods children, have become not only His creation, but His own judge, jury and executioners?  You may disagree with my assessment, but the evidence is right there in front of us daily.  Pastors leave congregations they've served for years, often taking their "flock" with them over one disagreement or another in the church.  I've been witness to the splitting of many a congregation in my time.  There's a reason why there are so many denominations within christianity, because we ourselves have made it that way.  We've become our own modern day martyrs of our faith.  All too often we question, argue and screech at those whose interpretations contradict our own.  In our own group of men, I have been witness to a brother who puts extraordinary effort into defending his view of christianity.  To what end?  Is there a special reward in Gods heaven for those who argue His truth?  Not that I've found.  What I have found is that we are to tell of the truth of Christ Jesus "in all gentleness."  Jesus never advocated reasoning with unbelievers with the sword or Ak-47s.  In fact, Jesus claimed that if we should come to a place which does not accept Him that we should simply "shake the dust from that place off your feet" {Matthew 10:14}. 

And when you go into a household, greet it. 13“If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
Matthew 14: 12 - 14 NKJV

I really cannot condemn those who defend the faith without realizing that I myself was once a martyr.  You bet, I was all too ready to shout down anyone who had the guts to disagree with what I thought christianity was.  Is this how we've been taught?  I can't recall any sermon or teaching that advocated such a defense of the faith, yet somehow we persist i what we feel is right and just.  The bigger question we should be asking is, does the creator of all which we see really need us to defend Him?  What was Jesus' answer to those who did not see His truth?  "It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorah in the day of judgement than for that city {Matthew 14:15}.  Jesus doesn't need us to defend Him!  However, in our arrogance we have come to believe that we are the ones who will decide which version of scripture is THE one and which teachings are to be believed.  Thankfully, this isn't how our heavenly Father desired our lives to be.  Do you desire to know Jesus?  Seek Him and you will find Him.  Knock and His door will be opened to you.  Unlike most martyrs, Jesus has never turned away any who come to Him.  So, do you still think that Jesus needs defending?  He who gave Himself for us...needs us?  Again, this is nothing but our own arrogant beliefs of how WE feel things should be.  Nothing of martyrdom screams Jesus.  In fact, if there ever was a martyr, it was Christ.  Persecuted for His teachings.  Beaten and put to death for telling others of the goodness of the Father.  Tell me again who the true martyr is.  I have come to realize that Jesus needs not me to defend Him.  He's probably busy enough defending us. 

~Scott~