“It was a fashion, in the primitive persecutions, to invest Christians with bears’ skins, and then to bait them as bears; and it is a usual practice of Satan and his instruments, first to blast the reputation of religious persons, and then to persecute them as offenders.” -Thomas Manton
The early Christian martyrs dealt with a terrible life of persecution. The many names they were called, physical and mental abuses, all the slander and false accusations. Ultimately, death was the finale, and it was a grand finale.
Many people face the same charges today around the world. I believe all Christians face or will face this to an extent. We see it in the news now. The labels and slander gets tossed around constantly. We are blamed for practically everything it seems.
I’m sure if it were still legal to tie a man or woman to the stake and set them on fire, most city governments would have a special tax to help pay for the stakes, and grounds keepers to prepare logs for the fires.
We all face it in small ways I’m sure. When we speak up on topics using a biblical worldview, the glaring looks start. This is followed by the interrogation, and often leads to name calling and placing the blame of the world’s troubles on us.
Martyrs are called martyrs for a good reason. It’s because they didn’t change course, they died for Christ. When the stakes were raised high and the fires prepared, they stayed true to their beliefs, they stayed true to their LORD. And as many of their stories go, the went gladly to their death, many times with thanks and prayers loudly going up to God for being granted the honor of serving and dying for Him.
Today we have great examples of saints of old to follow. We don’t need to fear the crowd and chants. The names and accusations should never slow us or silence us. We are to never change course. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
No King but Christ 