In today's church services across the country, we've been reading about Stephen, the church's first martyr after Jesus. I don't know if Stephen had thought about what it would cost him to be a Christian before he agreed to join the first church's aid projects for the poor. But he ended up paying the greatest price a man can pay - his life. But it wasn't just something that happened 2000 years ago.
Recently I was with a Christian who was going to start a work among Muslims. Before he left, he had to write his will. Because it was a real possibility that he would have to pay the ultimate price. A month ago, a Korean missionary paid, Jonwook Kim, the award in Turkey H an was stabbed to death.
Danish European Mission partners around the world put their reputation and their lives on the line when trying to reach people with the Christmas message: that Jesus came to earth to save the world, be light in the darkness and save mankind. What a message! That was the message Stephen brought. It's the message Jonwook Kim brought, and it's the message Christians around the world are bringing. And it's a message so amazing that the answer to the question in the introduction is self-evident. Provocative as it is, the Bible is pretty clear about the answer: Following Jesus must cost EVERYTHING - including life.
Have you thought about what it must cost you to be a Christian?
At Danish European Mission, we want to share all that the persecuted church can teach Christian Danes. Therefore, every two weeks we will write a short blog post about a Christian point that can inspire, encourage and challenge you. This week's post is written by Manfred, who is a development consultant at the Danish European Mission.
