As we have now completed our studies in 1 Peter, this would be a good time to reacquaint ourselves with those who suffer today for Christ’s Name.
I was reminded when studying for 1 Peter, about Richard Wumbrand. Richard was imprisoned in his home country of Romania, for his faith in Christ and resistance towards Communism (in the late 1940’s). He suffered horrific torture, evil unimaginable. You can read about his experiences in his book ‘Tortured for Christ’. But amidst the torture, are even more staggering stories of his patience, grace, love and joy at suffering for Christ.
“It was in prison that we found the hope of salvation for the Communists. It was there that we developed a sense of responsibility toward them. It was in being tortured by them that we learned to love them.”
Richard, and many with him in the communist prisons, lived out the truth that we have been studying these last few months. Rejoicing as being partakers of Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 4.13) was no theory. Using their chains as musical instruments to praise with, preaching sermons to one another in-between beatings, and extending love and forgiveness to their torturers, Richard and his brethren were truly tested by fire.
Insulated as we are from these horrors, I’m sure you’d agree that we do well to acquaint ourselves with men like Richard. And we do well to pray for believers who experience similar horrors today. Labour camps still exist in North Korea. Believers still face death in Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria & Pakistan. We recently heard about an 18 year old who had been reading his bible in his work place, where he made bricks for a living. He was discovered, and thrown into the brick kiln. We can pray for his family. We can pray for his persecutors.
May God help us to live in the good of the truth we have learnt these last few months. Let’s pray regularly for believers in countries where the fiery trial is still very much the norm.
If you are interested in knowing a little more about Richard Wumbrand, I can recommend this 10 minute summary:
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