| One reason Christians can face the most brutal persecution without responding in kind is the absolute security they have in Jesus. Insecurity and uncertainty breeds fear, but God counsels his people time and again to "fear not." And how is it that Christians can face whatever the world can throw at them without fear? It is because they know their life is secure in Christ. They know the utter trustworthiness of the One in whom they have put their faith. It has been said that no one can take from you what you have already given away. Because the Christian has already given their life (all that they have, all that they are) to God, it is impossible for another to rob them of it. John Chrysostom was one of the early Greek church fathers. Born in AD 347, he was brought before the Emperor at an early age to answer for his faith. “If you persist in being a Christian,�?the emperor said, “I will banish you from your father’s land.�?/FONT> Chrysostom replied, “Your Majesty, you cannot; the whole world is my Father’s land.�?/FONT> “Then I will take away all your property,�?/FONT> “You cannot do that either. My treasures are in heaven.�?/FONT> “Then I will send you to a place where there will not be a friend to speak to.�?/FONT> “You cannot do that, for I have a Friend that Stricketh closer than a brother. I shall have my Brother Jesus Christ forever.�?/FONT> The emperor said, “I will take away your life.�?/FONT> “You cannot do that either. My life is hid with Christ in God.�?Chrysostom answered. Such is the timeless courage of Christians through the ages.. John and Betty Stam were Presbyterian missionaries working in China. On December 8, 1934 they were murdered by Chinese bandits who burned their home to the ground. Friends searching through the ashes found Betty Stam’s Bible. On the flyleaf she had written these words: “Lord, I give up my purpose and plans, all my desires, hopes, and ambitions, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. I hand over to Thy keeping all my friendships, my love. All the people whom I love are to take second place in my heart. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Work out Thy whole life in my life at any cost now and forever. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.�?/P> | 
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