Martin Niemoller stood strong for the Lord as a pastor in Germany during World War II. He was imprisoned, faced a firing squad and forced to dig his own grave twice. But he lived beyond Adolph Hitler's orders to punish him, and get rid of him.
Following that, he came to the United States and told his story. Then he challenged Christians here to "stand fast for the Lord." His message to us, who heard his challenge to us who were seminary students at the time, was that the German people shared life experiences about everything but their Christian faith. This failure made possible the rise of Adolph Hitler as dictator.
Is there such a problem or condition in our country presently? Recent polls from our newspapers and magazines indicate such a lag of people's involvement in the life of the church. Many call themselves Christian, but choose to "go it alone," "don't want to be involved" "prefer to attend a giant building preaching service" and not take a church job anywhere. These seem to have only a slight interest in sharing in a conversation about God, Christianity and now during the Lenten period hearing about Jesus's life, death and resurrection, with Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter just ahead.
Do we have a problem, a countrywide problem due to an anemic, watered-down, spineless, non-productive Christianity? Do any of us suffer for being a Christian? Pastor Niemoller did.
We must have a virile, dynamic brand of Christianity. Our lives for Christ must speak for Him each day. We Christians must be ethical, gracious, bold, strong and devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
A story from WW II days tells of Hitler's order for "No Christian Worship." On a Sunday morning the people of this community entered their church. The service about to begin, when bursting in the church doors came a small group of soldiers. One of them called out "Penalty will given if you worship!" Half of the people left. The soldier spoke, "We are Christian soldiers. We know our penalty if caught. But we would worship with you who remain this morning. Please let us join you who are yet here."
It costs and should cost us to be true Christians. Pastor Niemoller met the cost. How evident is my Christianity daily? How evident is yours daily? Do I, do you hear in your heart and soul "Well done, follower of the Lord Jesus Christ."
"It is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege ... and being called by His wonderful name." I Peter 4:16 The Living Bible.
