Lalji Refused

I received the December 2008 issue of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter. On the cover page under the heading, "Christians in Crisis in Orissa," read the following:

"It was just before dawn on Sept. 30, 2008. An angry mob of Hindu radicals had been gathering steam for weeks. Carrying sticks and machetes and chanting death threats to Christians, this hatred-induced tsunami swept in Rudangia, a tiny village in Orissa state, India. The mob attacked, burning homes, beating villagers and ripping Christian materials apart. Our VOM contacts say the mob settled upon Lalji Nayak. Hindu radicals grabbed Lalji and dragged him out of his home. One man stuck a knife to his throat. They yelled at him to renounce Christ. They demanded he "reconvert" and become Hindu. Lalji refused. They drove the knife deeper into his neck. Blood began to gush. Witnesses say Lalji continued to "cling to Christ." The radicals pulled out an axe and began beating him. They tortured him and when he refused to convert to Hinduism they left him for dead. Lalji died the next day at a nearby hospital. "Even though he was bleeding, he refused to abandon his faith," a witness told our VOM contacts."

Sobering!

I am always amazed at how one can cling to their faith in the face of certain death. But, then I think of Jesus' dying words on the cross, when He asked for God to forgive His tormentors because they did not know what they were doing. When I see unbelievers, like these Hindus, murdering those who do not believe as they do, I have pity for them. They do not know what they do. Even more astounding is that their heinous and evil act of murder, against a brother in Christ, is forgiven by God and does not prevent each and every one of Lalji's murderers from coming to faith in Christ. That is the power of the Cross. The death of Jesus keeps the sins of unbelievers from preventing them from coming to Him for life. And His death keeps the sins of believers from losing His life. All you can say to that is "Thank you, Jesus!"

"Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Hebrews 11:35-40

I can only imagine that Lalji, and those like him, refused to abandon their faith because they knew that God had something better for them. Ever notice how so many people seem to hold onto this world so much? Most of them are unbelievers. It is as if their god is this world. I think this is what you see behind the radical environmentalist movement, political correctness and moral relativity. I have heard many people say words to the effect of "this world is all we got." While true in a sense, it is really the beginning of eternity. For an unbeliever, this world is as good as it will get for them, apart from Christ. For a believer this is as bad as it gets. Therefore, I can understand why an unbeliever would do all they could to "convert" people to their way of thinking, even if it means murdering them for their refusal. Hindus are not alone, as we are all to familiar with the exploits of Islamofascists. Ironically, India, where Lalji lost his life is where Muslim terrorists made their most recent attack. All of them seem to be fighting for this world as if it is all they have to look forward to. To me it seems like their actions are motivated by fear rather than faith. Because the root of anger is fear. I bet that what motivates all these religious and secular fanatics is the fear of their god or gods. After all, we usually treat others the way in which we believe God is treating us. Obviously, they do not serve a God of love like Christians do.

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." Philippians 1:20-24

I want to be clear. Lalji's act of martyrdom, while humbling and heroic, does not exalt him any higher in God's eyes than any other believer. Remember, Peter denied the Lord, but was still used mightily by God. Paul, prior to his conversion, murdered Christians, but was used by God to write two-thirds of the New Testament. God is no respecter of persons. And my prayer is that the suffering endured by those like Lalji would be few and far between, although I know better. The fact is, the life we live in the body, we live by faith in Christ, who lives it in and through each and every one of us. Whether we die a horrible death for our faith, deny the Lord out of fear for our lives, or something in between, God can use it all. It is imperative that we be certain that we cannot lose when it comes to our faith in Christ. While we are living we get to proclaim claim Christ. When we die, we get to go be with Him in eternity. That is why Paul could say that, for him, to live is Christ and to die is gain. One act of heroism in the face of death can serve to embolden the faith of fellow believers. One act of denial does not nullify ones faith in Christ, make the faith of an unbeliever true and cannot be used as an excuse for an unbeliever when they face Judgment. I look forward to meeting brother Lalji someday in Heaven. If anything I can thank Him for helping me stay focused on what is important in this life. And that is the life of Christ that is offered to all mankind even to those who, vehemently, attack it.