I have been thinking a lot about our recent dialogs and trying to place context to what is on the table. What came to mind was the notable events in the 1960s, the assignation of JFK, and the moon landing, or more recently the events of 9/11/2001. In those cases I was on observer on the day it happened, but had no involvement or association with anyone who was involved.

Whereas some other notable events, such as the stealing of the 2004 presidential election, or the 2007 Collateral Murder event, I was still not involved, but had proximity with some who were. The proximity has given some insight, but does not bestow any value on me.

Then there are the events that few if any take note of. This is no long proximity but direct involvement. There is no fanfare, but this needs to be where my focus is, and I contend consistent with Matthew 6:5-7. How to bless others where the world does not give you praise, and for you there might only be cost.

Then apply this to the issue at hand, how to protect the Christian in a hostile environment. I have done some study of the time when Rome was dominate and you were required to acknowledge “Caesar is lord” or “Kaiser Kurios”. A video I did on this was removed as hate speech by YouTube, but it remains online. The important point was that instead of escaping to a safer place, a massive number of people stood their ground and would publicly state “Jesus is Lord”, and would pay with their lives. This continues this day and is consistent with Matthew 10:32-33 and Luke 12:8-9.

Should our efforts be to help others escape to a place dominated by Christianity in name only, or help others stand where they are on the solid foundation of Christ? Should we model to others some form of “here I stand, I can do no other”, or get me out of here so I can enjoy the comforts of life?

One of the advantages a person has when they have lost everything, is there is no fear of losing anything else. You have the freedom live in obedience to Christ and keep love in the forefront.

I have a photo on my wall of a man in Senegal, holding his young son, expressing his desire for his posterity to live in the land he calls home, rather than escape to Europe. I suggest love is to encourage that man to do just that. In the same way, should we not encourage and support those in Pakistan and anywhere else to stand firm, claim Jesus as Lord without hesitation, and when necessary pay the cost of doing so, even if it is their own life?