There is a useful tradition about giving something up for Lent. While such an act does nothing for our salvation or holiness before God, it does provide us with the opportunity to learn that there are ways we can discipline our own bodies.
But we should be careful not to elevate such self-deprivation to the level of suffering for Christ.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?A main goal of Lent is to lead us through the Active Obedience of Christ on our behalf to view the Passive Obedience of Christ in our place that our faith may rest on Christ alone, and Christ crucified. His is the cross that saves.
[Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV]
The following is a list, a reminder, both of what suffering for Christ can be, and to keep our brothers and sisters in our prayers.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. " Romans 8:18
This is a partial list that starts in January.
- January 2, 2019, "Authorities Order Closure of another Church Building in Algeria, Local officials have been fighting its presence since 2016."
- January 7, 2019 "Christian Family, Church Devastated by Killing of Church Elder in Nigeria, Police declined to take action against Muslim Fulani herdsmen.
- January 9, 2019 "Faith Costs Christian in Algeria His Family, Livelihood, Wife pressured to file charges against him of ‘undermining Islam.’"
- January 11, 2019 "Christian Mother, Pastor Fear for their Lives after Attacks in Eastern Uganda, Radical Muslims in two areas issue threats."
- January 15, 2019 "Muslim Throng Converges on Worship Site of Coptic Church in Egypt,Priests evicted, building shuttered."
- January 17, 2019 "Hindu Version of Feng Shui Leads to Demolition of Church Building in Southern India, Bibles set ablaze after extremists stop Christians’ van."
- January 21, 2019 "Facing Torture, Death in Sudan, Convert Flees to Egypt – and More Death Threats, Apartment broken into, passport stolen."
- January 23, 2019 "Christian Acquitted of Blasphemy Charge after Two Others Sentenced to Death in Pakistan, Brothers accused of insulting Muhammad on website."
- January 25, 2019, "Muslim Police Officers, Others Beat and Arrest Christian in Kenya, Young man held in police jail in Industrial Area of Nairobi."
- January 27, 2019 "20 killed, dozens wounded in Philippines church bombings" by Madeline Holcombe CNN
- January 29, 2019 "Grieving Christians Baffled by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen Aggression in Nigeria, 70-year-old is killed, 16-year-old wounded."
- January 31, 2019 "Kidnapping, Torture in Egypt of Christian Woman from Sudan Highlights Convert Pressure, Muslim extremists also threaten to kill husband, daughter."
- February 1, 2019 "Christian Jailed in Chiapas, Mexico Told to Leave Area in Exchange for Freedom, Temporarily released due to illness, his wife serves time in his place."
- February 5, 2019 "Hindu Extremists Pressure Convert to File False Charge against Pastor in India, Sources Say, Across the border in Nepal, spike in persecution continues."
- February 7, 2019 "Legal Struggle of Doctor Reflects Wider Harassment of Christians in India, Hindu extremist government reminded that practicing one’s faith is not unlawful."
- February 11, 2019 "Christian Mother from Somalia Beaten, Raped in Kenya, Somali Muslims attack convert from Islam."
- February 18, 2019 "Christian in Sri Lanka Arrested after Reporting Threat on His Life, Watchdog Group Reports, False assault allegation filed against him, according to organization."
- February 19, 2019 "Christian Mother Facing False Accusation in India Is Transferred Far from Home, Sources Say, Mob rule increasingly common in world’s largest democracy."
- February 25, 2019 "Killing of Christians Continues in Run-up to National Elections in Nigeria, Muslim Fulani herdsmen kill 12 at church wedding reception. "
- February 26, 2019 "Two Christians Killed in Separate States in India, Tribal animists are said to enlist Maoist rebels to kill converts."
- February 28, 2019 "At Least 40 Christians Killed in Two Attacks in Kaduna State, Nigeria, School for missionary children shut."
- March 1, 2019 "Muslim Mobs Attack 10 Church Buildings in Ethiopia, Unprecedented religious destruction in town sparked by false rumor."
- March 2, 2019, "At Least 32 Christians killed as mob burns homes, church in Nigeria."
- March 4, 2019 "Report Shows 57 Percent Jump in Aggression against Christians in India, Hate and targeted violence up first two months of year."
- March 6, 2019 "Muslim Mobs Attack 10 Church Buildings in Ethiopia,"
- March 7, 2019 "Churches Deprived of Their Worship Buildings in Tamil Nadu, India, Opposition where previously none existed."
- March 11, 2019 "Pastor of Underground Church in Kenya Beaten Unconscious, Relocated family seeks safe home."
- March 15, 2019 "120 people killed, 140 homes destroyed by Nigeria Fulani since February," Samuel Smith, CP Reporter. The violence is being committed against the Christian population.
- March 15, 2019"Couple Beaten, Congregation Member Missing in Persecution of Church in China"
- March 15, 2019 "Muslim student charged with terrorism for attempting to burn down Christian School in St. Paul, MN ."
" But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." 1 Peter 3:14-17
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12
