40 Days Blog - Day 5
Rising pressure in a contained space leads to explosion. It’s a simple fact of physics.
As a young Christian, I was challenged by the story of Sergei Kourdakov. Kourdakov was a KGB officer who tortured Christians he arrested in communist Russia. One of his victims was a young woman called Natasha, who he dragged out of a church meeting. Despite his brutality, she faced Kourdakov and said, “I forgive you”. These words haunted the man who had to find out more. Finally, he gave in to Jesus. Fleeing Russia to exile in Canada as a Christian convert, he was able to speak out about the Gospel in the years that followed.
There are many examples over the last two thousand years of the persecution of Christians hastening rather than hindering the advance and spread of the Gospel. John Bunyan, Terry Waite, Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Richard Wurmbrand were all imprisoned for their faith, and their testimony had a dramatic effect on those around them. They all had unusual and unexpected opportunities to share their faith.
In the same way Paul sees his imprisonment as positive, being “
for the sake of you Gentiles.”
The theme of imprisonment advancing the Gospel is one that we will return to in our 40 Day journey. Paul talks of it several times. He values it. At the very least, he’s going to make the most of it.
We, too, need to consider how we approach the challenges we receive because of our faith. Do we complain and grump too readily? Do we clam up and change the subject? Do we quietly hurt and do nothing?
Paul also wants the Ephesians to understand that he is suffering because he is determined to see the Gospel advance among Gentiles. He has put his neck on the line for them. He is only in captivity because trouble was stirred up for him by Jews in Jerusalem (see
Acts 23). And now he is in Rome to defend himself before the emperor. This standpoint has already given him the unusual opportunity to explain the gospel to rulers, kings and politicians as he has worked his way through his legal appeal to Rome (
v10).
Paul recognises that he has been given a particular understanding and insight into the position of the Gentiles in God’s plan. The mystery he talks of is that they are part of God’s plan – “
heirs together…sharers of the body of Christ” (
v6). That was a controversial position when considered from the orthodox viewpoint! But Paul sees it clearly and will do his utmost to share it.
In all of this Paul feels that he is the least of all men. He can never shake off the image of his own persecution of Christians and the mercy and forgiveness he received from Christ.
So do not be discouraged when you hear of persecution, dumbing down, false stories. Realise that it is the challenge of the Gospel that brings these to the fore. Pray for yourself and others - that the Gospel might spread because of it.
A Prayer
Lord today I pray for those in prison because of their faith in You. I ask Lord that You will comfort them, encourage them and challenge those who persecute them by their faith. Lord, I pray that You will work in hearts and situations to bring their release. Help me, Lord, to view the criticism, antagonism or troubles I get because of my faith to use these to work for You. Thank You that you are with me at all times and in all things.
Amen.
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