Posted on 07/23/2014 1:09:25 PM PDT by NYer
Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III Younan, Patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Church, appeared on Fox and Friends this morning, accompanied by Fr. Jonathan Morris. The patriarch, after detailing the horrors he witnessed, made a poignant comment. He said we must pray that Jesus will wake up in the boat. This is a very Eastern approach of relating events in the life of Christ to our prayer life. Please join your prayers with those of the persecuted.
Libs salivate.
Only delaying the inevitable. Blood lust will not accept someone that has renounced. After they run out of those that won’t they will thirst for others even if they met the conditions.
Does the Pope mention who is persecuting these Christians?
Praying that they may regain their faith and health and then flee.
If they renounced their faith, then they were never truly Christians to begin with. For believers, it is an honor to die for our Lord.
Seems to be coming right down to the wire.
Mathew 10
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
I wonder what I would do.
I might be willing to lie to those issuing the threat, and maintain my faith... I don’t know. On the other hand, as I get older I am beginning (finally) to recognize that there are things worse than death.
On the other hand, as I get older I am beginning (finally) to recognize that there are things worse than death.>>>>>
I know what you mean.
I wouldn’t lie, that would be denying Christ.
Matthew 10:33 - But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
I grew up hearing and reading the accounts of the martyrs - Catholic school and an Eastern Orthodox stepfather - and I always wanted to model my faith and bravery after them. I believe in taking a stand for what I believe in and I have no fear of death. A few years ago, I received some death threats because of my ministry and this was something that Mr R and I discussed. Nothing came of the threats but it made me realize that if I REALLY DO believe in Christ then I would consider it an honor to die for my faith and what I know is right. As you both agree, there are things worse than death.
bttt
I would rather die then submit to them. But.... what if I had a child I am trying to protect and can't get out. That's a tough one. Mentally you say I will not sacrifice his soul, but emotionally you might feel otherwise.
Just Thanks be to God we are not there yet. Prayers for them all.
//What would you not do physically to save your child or other loved one?//
I would not deny Christ.
Matthew 10:33 -
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Yeah, easy to say. Not so easy to do I suspect. Hopefully you and I never have to face that test. But I will not judge those who have. They did what they had to do.
As you both agree, there are things worse than death
It is not a question of what i should do or what i must do, but the question I ask of myself is what will I do.
I can say anything to make myself look right but saying it does not get it done.
Just about the same as the way Hitler treated Jews.
The label on the houses, versus the yellow star on the clothing. The taking of property.
God has already judged them. I gave you the verse. And I would have no trouble dying as a witness to my faith in Christ Jesus. My faith was hard earned and cost me a lot, after what it has already cost me, my life is nothing, my life is Christ’s.
See above post. I have already lost everything because of my faith, my life is not my own but purchased with the precious blood of Christ. I belong to Him. I know what I would do. I already get death threats because of my ministry, I have spent many many hours thinking, praying and pondering this.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.