On Sunday (11th March) we read the oldest document in the New Testament: A letter Paul wrote (about A.D. 50), encouraging new converts in Thessalonica who suffered for their faith.
I spent Monday last week with Michael, a Methodist Minister who grew up in Communist East Germany and who knows about persecution. For his family, choosing to follow Christ meant being deprived of State controlled opportunities and comforts. Michael, for example, accepted that he’d never have the opportunity for tertiary study (He now has a Phd!)[1].
I peppered him with questions about life behind the Berlin Wall but one response most moved me: “I am so thankful my parents kept their faith and kept me in the church despite the struggle“. Do we Christian parents in South Africa today choose a way of life that honours Jesus as Lord regardless of inconvenience, loss of comfort and disadvantage?
As we ponder that challenge it might be useful to hold our lives against this simple benchmark: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, … Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil“[2].
God Bless,
Sean
[1] Michael will share a testimony about his visit to South Africa at our evening service.
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17, 21,22