Profiles in Christian Courage: John Doe

John Doe is a believer who lives in a country that has outlawed religion. For his protection, I won’t mention his real name, the country he lives in, or his Christian organization. The secret police are a real threat to John and his family, as well as his co-workers.

The government has labeled John an enemy of the state. He is dangerous because he practices his faith, and promotes it in his community, nation, and around the world. That makes John a major threat, not only in his country, but because he communicates with believers in similarly repressive nations.

The threat of arrest is very real. John knows that one day the secret police will likely take him into custody. The government will then try, convict, and either execute John or send him to prison for the rest of his life. He explains matter-of-factly, “I don’t know when, and I don’t know where, but I know for certain that one day it will happen. So I make the most of the time God gives me to spread the gospel.”

John grew up in a wealthy Christian family under a regime that endorsed religion. But a violent revolution changed everything. As a young boy John watched his parents arrested and taken from his home. He’s never seen them again and doesn’t know their fate. John expects the same thing will happen to him someday.

Recently, the secret police have offered bribes to some co-workers for information on John’s activities. To his knowledge, his friends have not succumbed to these tactics, but realistically, John knows it’s only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, John works tirelessly by all possible means to preach and teach God’s Word. Christian friends in other countries financially support his ministry. Moreover, there’s a small group of prayer warriors that faithfully intercede on John’s behalf. They pray for his health, stamina, perseverance, and protection. John believes that these prayers are the reason he has been able to continue his work for so long.

How can you help John, your brother-in-Christ? Pray for him. In fact, pray for John and other Christians like him who each day live under the threat of death for their faith. Two verses come to mind. James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  The other verse is John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

The United States Constitution guarantees Freedom of Religion. Although American believers have seen a gradual erosion of this right, we still have the freedom to worship as we choose. But there are many believers, like John, who live in nations where a death sentence hangs over their heads. We must pray for them, too.

Most importantly, we must be ready for a time when we may also have to decide how important our faith is to us. Freedom of Religion may become Freedom from Religion at some future date. Are you willing to put your life on the line, like John, to follow Jesus Christ? Are you able to say, like John, I want to make the most of the time God gives me to spread the gospel?”

John is a profile in Christian courage. May God give us the courage to live out our faith whatever circumstances we may face.

© 2013 Designed to Serve®