I am a Christian!

Thousands of Christians are killed for their faith every year. Unfortunately, this is nothing new.

History tells of a believer named Sanctus from Lyons, France, who was tortured for Christ. As they  cruelly tortured him, hoping he would deny his faith in Jesus, they asked his name, and he only replied, “I am a Christian.” “What nation do you belong to?” He answered, “I am a Christian.” “What city do you live in?” “I am a Christian.” His questioners began to get angry: “Are you a slave or a free man?” “I am a Christian” was his only reply. No matter what they asked him, he only replied, “I am a Christian.” This made his torturers even more determined to break him, but they could not, and he died with the words “I am a Christian” on his lips.

Many today no longer identify as Christian, for various reasons. If someone were to ask me if I am a Christian, I would first ask them, “Please define Christian?”

If they answer, “Someone who believes Jesus is the only way to God, and who desires to please Him by obeying everything Jesus taught“, then my response would be, “Yes. I am a Christian.” If they define a Christian as someone who hates evil, loves his enemies, and would rather be tortured and die than deny Jesus as Lord, then I would respond fearlessly, just like Sanctus the martyr did. “Yes. I am a Christian!”

I wish I could say I always act like a true Christian, but I’d be lying. Thank God, it’s not what I do that determines who I am. It’s who I am that determines what I do.

God says because of Christ’s shed blood, I am holy and blameless in His eyes. My sins are forgiven. The Holy Spirit lives in me, and He’s working in me to will and to do what brings Him joy.

I don’t always get it right when it comes to pleasing Him — but thank God, He’s not done with me yet!

Please join me in praying for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. According to a Genocidewatch.com article in February, 2024, 62,000 Christians have been murdered since 2000. Some say the number killed is now more than 100,000, and the violence is escalating. It’s being called a silent genocide.

“But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭