True Believers

On this day, 131 years ago, 32 young men who were sages in the court of the King of Buganda were burned to death for refusing to renounce Christianity.

The king, threatened by the growing number of Christians who sought Jesus as Lord and Savior, set out to cleanse the land of these believers, marching many to their death.  But the plan backfired, as people became inspired by the faith of the men who sang and prayed for their tormentors.

More became believers.

When we hear of persecution and martyrdom of Christians today throughout the world, are we moved to become stronger in our faith, or do we shrink away in fear?

Tomorrow is Pentecost, commemorating the Holy Spirit's descent on the apostles.  We are reminded that the Holy Spirit dwells within us and gives us the power to stand up and speak for our faith.

Will we do that?

I believe we should remember all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their faith by speaking out, sharing the love of Christ and the Good News that God has given us.

Of course, that means we need to be true believers.  We need to know that if and when we are faced with a test of our faith, we will not deny it.

That's a heavy thought.

Maybe we should think about that as we pray never to be so tested.

More to come...