... God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:3b-6a

The town in which the small Christian congregation was situated was often invaded by North Korean soldiers and then, hours later, reclaimed by forces from the South.

That explains why the believers worshipped as quietly and anonymously as they could. Apparently, they were not quiet or anonymous enough. Shortly after they began, some of the communist soldiers barged in, machine guns at the ready. The worshippers were lined up and four of them were selected for special attention.

A picture of Jesus was ripped from the table which served as an altar and thrown on the floor. The soldiers ordered, "You four, one by one, I want you to come by here, spit on this picture, and curse your Savior's Name!" The first three in line were men of the church, and they did what the soldier said to do. They spit on the picture, and they cursed the Name of Christ.

The fourth one in line was a high school girl. She came up to the picture, and she dropped to her knees. She wiped the spittle off with her skirt, and she said, "Go ahead and kill me. I cannot curse my Savior's Name."

The soldier said, "Get up!" They blindfolded that girl and marched her, along with the three men outside. The worshippers left behind heard the shots, and they also saw the soldiers return, with the girl. Then, hearing sounds which said the village was being recaptured and they needed to leave, the spokesman for the soldiers said, "Learn this lesson: those men died because anyone who gives up what they believe so easily is not fit to be a communist."

So, my friends, let me ask, "What would you have done?" For you it is a theoretical question. For many of our brothers and sisters around the world, it is a reality.

What would you have done? I know our Savior endured all manner of indignities, as He walked the path that brought about our salvation. He was rejected, spit upon, beaten, whipped and crucified. Even so, He continued on and gave His life to save ours.

But what would you do? Would you give your life for Him? I believe you would. Then I encourage you to live for Him.

Today.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jesus gave His life for me. May I dedicate my life to sharing His story of salvation with others. This I ask I His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 33, 21    Hebrews 9

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