August 26, 2023
Flesh can only wound flesh; he may kill thee, but not hurt thee. Why shouldst thou fear to be stripped of that which thou hast resigned already to Christ?
William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
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William Gurnall wrote this in the mid-1600s, not long after a time when men were killed for their faith. But even in his time, some were imprisoned for refusing to conform with the church of England. John Bunyon was a Puritan preacher who was imprisoned for this reason and spent 12 years in jail, where he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress.
We are blessed to live in a time and place where it is relatively safe to be a Christian. We don’t have to worry about imprisonment or death for our beliefs. We should praise God often for this mercy, but at the same time, we should be mentally prepared to face earthly suffering for proclaiming Christ. This frame of mind, where you know that there’s nothing man can do to you because you belong to Christ, is only a product of the most strong and sincere faith. I pray none of us will ever have to face a trial like this, but it’s worth meditating on so that our minds are ready. It may not happen in our lifetimes, but what about our children’s or grandchildren’s? Are we strengthening our faith to this degree and passing it on to future generations?
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6