Words from our founder: Enlarging our hearts

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” – 1 Peter 2:21

Flickr / Rachel James

As for us, our hearts go out to the martyrs. Not that we pity them. Their chains are of pure gold. Their cross is perfumed. All those whose spiritual senses are alive know it. To Christians, prison has always been a delectable orchard where the sweetest nectar flows. Neither do we give to the sufferings of the martyrs in honour due only to the cross of Christ. Only to this cross apply the words of John Chrysostom, “The cross is the will of the Father, the honour of the Son, the joy of the Spirit, the jewel of angels, the assurance of the faithful, the glory of Paul. By the cross we know the gravity of sin and the greatness of God’s love towards men.” But the true knowledge of the state of persecuted Christians will enlarge our minds and hearts and will help us to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

The Psalmist loved the house of God. So does every Christian. Next Sunday when you sit comfortably in your pew, remember Russia’s churches that were changed into warehouses, museums, factories and dancing clubs. Out of 50,000 Orthodox church before the Revolution (1917), only 7,000 remained. Remember the churches who have to bear the mockeries.

But the temple of the Holy Spirit is the Christian himself. Against him the great fight is fought.

Excerpted and edited by VOM staff from Richard Wurmbrand’s If that were Christ, would you give him your blanket? (Not in print).

The Voice of the Martyrs was founded in the mid-1960s by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned and tortured by Communist authorities in his native Romania for 14 years. While still in prison, Pastor Wurmbrand envisioned a ministry that would focus on the plight of the persecuted Church, raise a voice on their behalf, and provide encouragement and assistance to them.