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Acts 7:55-8:1 - the stoning of Stephen.

Apart from Jesus, Steven was the first martyr for the Christian faith. As a North American Christian, I don't think a lot about martyrdom. My life isn't in danger here because of what I believe. I'm protected. I can more or less say what I want, worship where and to whom I want and pray to my God whenever I want (even in a public school if I'm so inclined). I don't worry about being beaten or killed for what I believe in.

That's not the case for many Christians. Many Christians rely on stories like Stephen's just to endure the hardships they face every day. They need to look to someone like Stephen to assure themselves that even though their fellow humans may hate them to the point of wanting to kill them, God does not. God loves them completely and unconditionally.

I own the book 'Jesus Freaks' by the organization called the Voice of the Martyrs. It's powerful and disturbing and shows me one of the things I miss as a North American Christian. I miss the gut-wrenching, life-or-death need for Jesus that these people experience every day. I miss this, but I don't want it. I have no interest in being in those kinds of situations.

In many ways, I feel that the persecuted church has an easier time living as Christians than the non-persecuted church. Why? Well, think about it. If you're gonna risk your life, you wanna be really, really sure about what you're risking your life for. I honestly don't think that persecuted Christians made their decision to come to Christ lightly. They know what they're up against. Once they've made their decision, there really aren't many more choices after that. They could deny their faith and become like the people persecuting them or not. Risk my life or become a killer. Somehow, risking ones life actually seems like the better option to me. And if you're risking your life to that extent, then clinging to the promise of the gospel that Jesus will reward you and that you will go to heaven where no one will persecute you is a pretty gratifying thing.

In North America, however, there are thousands of other choices apart from Christianity. I don't risk very much by becoming a Christian. It's not a life-or-death decision (in this life, anyway). And if one does decide to become a Christian, there are so many things that can distract you and lure you away. There's less of a sense of urgency about being a Christian in North America.

I think in some ways, there is a more of a danger in North America of becoming like Saul. In the story of Stephen, he stood by and watched people stone Stephen to death. People lay their jackets at his feet and he stood there and approved. He was a good Jew. He had it made. Nothing to worry about. No one waiting to stone him. Thing was, technically, Stephen was a good Jew too. A good Jew with a new revelation.

God forbid that the non-persecuted church stand by and watch their fellow Christians be killed. Let's not forget those for whom Christianity is a life-or-death decision.

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