On this week prior to our nation’s annual celebration of American Independence, I turn my thoughts to the billions of people worldwide who do not and have never enjoyed the blessings of liberty and freedom. I am especially focused on the plight of multiple millions of Christians worldwide who are under the gun, literally– for simply exercising their faith in Jesus Christ.

Believers in North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Yemen, and Eritrea can be legally hunted down and imprisoned, tortured, or killed for the “crime” of meeting together, praying together, owning a Bible, or trying to convince another person of the good news of Jesus Christ.

According to statistics from both Christian and secular agencies, Christianity is  the single most persecuted religion in the world.

There is the true story of a former ISIS leader who became a Christian. When ISIS discovered it, they beat him unmercifully for many days in order to get him to renounce Jesus. Here is an excerpt from the recently published book, Standing in the Fire by Tom Doyle, which tells that new believer’s story. The ISIS persecutor begins the conversation:

“I cannot say that I have ever seen this much resolve in a man. With the beatings you’ve been given, a typical prisoner would confess to anything we charge them with. All you have to do is say the words. You don’t even have to believe them in your heart. Just say it. Confess that you have returned to Islam. Just say the words. You don’t have to die!”

            “I won’t deny my Savior who did not deny me,” the new Christian responded. “I won’t deny Him in my heart, and I won’t deny Him with my lips.” He was summarily executed by his former compatriots.

 And yet, the rapid growth of Christianity in these very countries is staggering, outstripping all other religions in percentage of growth. Besides that, the reports of miraculous healings, dreams and visions, and supernatural interventions from God are commonplace in these persecuted lands, and remind me of what is described in the book of Acts. It’s amazing!

When I compare it to our present reality– the sharp decline of Christianity in America and Europe, I am stunned. Our privilege and freedom to exercise faith without fear of persecution should signal an increase in the fruitfulness of God’s people. Instead, the work of God seems stifled, not by guns and threats of harm, but by coldness and unbelief.

Christian singer and songwriter of the late 70’s and early 80’s, Keith Green, composed a song in 1978 that proved prophetic—describing the present plight of Christian America. This portion of Keith’s “Asleep in the Light” lyrics bring deep conviction to me every time I hear them.

The world is sleeping in the dark that the Church just can’t fight,

‘cause it’s asleep in the light.

How can you be so dead, when you’ve been so well fed?

Jesus rose from the dead,

And you! You can’t even get out of bed!

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead; Come on, get out of your bed!

 I’m thankful for my country; I’m thankful for our freedoms, especially our freedom to worship and serve God without fear of retribution. But I’m afraid that even our window of opportunity will close if we don’t take advantage of the blessing we have inherited from our forefathers.  I’m praying and believing for another Great Awakening in our land.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you….if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”  

1 Peter 3:12-14