The book “Songs of the Deliverer” tells the story of Christ re-imagined in modern day. The book is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the New Testament. These Reflections are written to highlight the Biblical pericopes featured in the second book of the series, Faith Wins, to be published in 2016.
Referenced in Chapter 3
Faith is important, right?
We acknowledge our faith as part of our identity, we pronounce our faith in prayer and worship, and we live our faith through our actions and deeds.
What if you were told you would suffer for faith? Or, even die for faith?
That was the reality facing the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus. One by one, they were persecuted for bringing Christianity to the world. And some were killed, like James, the brother of John, the apostle and gospel author:
“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” (Acts of the Apostles 1: 1 – 2)
Jesus told the apostles they would be flogged and beaten, betrayed and hated for faith. They were. Still, he asked them to persevere and bear witness to his promise of eternal life. Because if they didn’t the world to come would never know the truth of eternal life that Jesus came to pronounce. It would be like Christ never was.
So we are called to testify. Across the world today, Christians face persecution. Some are tortured and killed for faith. Others are disparaged and castigated for faith. Some are indentured by societal law to act in conflict with their beliefs. Still, we persevere. Still, we bear witness to the revelation of new life with Christ.
This is our faith. And we are faithful.
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