(by Lorie Codispoti)
One of the things I’ve been thinking about in recent days is this familiar idiom: “Cut the head off the snake & the body dies.”
Here’s the thing though; that idea doesn't apply to the kingdom of God. History confirms that when you cut the head off a christian leader, whose ministry is effectively producing fruit, the body of Christ is strengthened & christians multiply.
The sacrifice of one christian who dies for his faith will serve as fertilizer for the soil that was prepared for a harvest of new believers. We see this example recorded in the book of Acts with the stoning of Steven, which resulted in the conversion of Paul. (We know this to be true with the deaths of many of the apostles as well.)
Church history is replete with the stories of many who were persecuted & murdered for their unwavering faith. Some of the ones whose stories we might be familiar with are John Wycliffe, John Huss, & William Tyndale. A few well known, modern day martyrs include Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jim Elliott & his four colleagues. Two of the women that stand out are Dorothy Stang & Nagham Nawzat.
It is estimated that over 900,000 christians have been murdered for their faith between 2011 - 2020. These are ordinary people serving as missionaries & advocates in hostile environments. We’ll never know their names, but God does, & their reward is great.
While peace can also contribute to growth, persecution serves to sharpen our focus as believers. Christian advocacy groups report that in most cases it is a catalyst for growth. Some have reasoned that persecution fosters solidarity as it drives believers to deepen their personal & corporate reliance on God. As we reflect on our own convictions in the wake of recent persecutions, may we be strengthened & inspired to share our faith with boldness.
Do you remember what God told the snake in Genesis 3:15? “I will put enmity between you & the woman, & between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, & you shall bruise His heel.” Not only did Christ step on our enemy’s head & crush it when He died & rose again, but He is going to return & chop satan’s head completely off. And when that happens his minions will scatter & be destroyed along with him.
Psalm 74:14 says of God… You broke the heads of leviathan in pieces, & gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
Mount up the offense & don your armor, Church!
We have been commissioned to pursue the enemy, rescue the captives, & reclaim the territory that was stolen. Running away is not an option; there is no armor for our back. One day we will remove the battle armor forever, but this is not that day.
Cut the heads off believers & watch the body grow!
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