7 Crucial Questions

Dear Crosswalkers,

Many have observed that those of us who follow Jesus in 21st Century America have it easy compared with our spiritual forbears. In fact, we have it quite cushy compared to some other locales on the planet. For example, earlier this year a report was given by Asian Access (or A2), a Christian missions agency in South Asia. In this report, they listed a series of 7 questions that church planters must ask new believers who are considering baptism. (Due to safety concerns, Asian Access does not mention the country's name.) The country is predominantly Hindu, but over the past few decades Christianity has grown in popularity—especially among poor and tribal peoples. These are the seven questions asked to help determine a new convert's readiness to follow Christ:

1. Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?
2. Are you willing to lose your job?
3. Are you willing to go to the village of those who persecute you, forgive them, and share the love of Christ with them?
4. Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord?
5. Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?
6. Are you willing to go to prison?
7. Are you willing to die for Jesus?

If the new convert answers yes to all of these questions, then A2 leaders invite that person to sign on the bottom of the paper that of their own free will they have decided to follow Jesus. But here's the risk: if a new convert signs the paper and is caught by the government, he or she will spend three years behind bars. The one who did the evangelizing faces six years in prison.

How would you do answering those 7 crucial questions? Can you imagine what would happen if everyone who followed the Lord in baptism in America were given these questions? This is a sobering thought that requires some reflection.

My first thought is one of gratitude. Many Christian pioneers suffered greatly for us to enjoy the religious freedoms we now possess. I praise God that we don't face these terrifying prospects now; and it energizes me to do my best to insure that these freedoms remain in place for our children and grandchildren. 

On further reflection I am driven to pray for those who suffer greatly for the privilege of following Jesus. The persecuted church worldwide is following Jesus closer than many of us can ever dream of doing. They deserve our prayers and our deep admiration. They are heroes of our faith.

Lastly, I am forced to reconsider what "suffering for Jesus" really means in the context of the Silicon Valley in 2012. Is it really even suffering to step out of my comfort zone to share my faith with someone else? Is it really such a sacrifice to give 10% of my income to the Lord's work? Does it really constitute sacrificial love to volunteer to serve Jesus through my church? Or are all these things the very least I can do to express my love and gratitude to the Lord who has so richly blessed my life?

Here's a challenge: How would you answer the 7 crucial questions? How will you follow Jesus with more resolve in our time and place?

Love in Jesus,

Pastor John Christie