Extreme witness

Pakistan: Sheraz

The letter’s power didn’t come from its one line of words: “Stop preaching to Muslims.” Its delivery method made the greater impact; it was attached to the bloody body of a Bible college student named Sheraz. The letter and Sheraz’s body were dumped at the front gate of his church near Lahore, Pakistan.

Sheraz hadn’t followed the letter’s advice. He had preached everywhere he went about the love of a Saviour who had died for his sins. He had preached to the workers at the factory where he worked, to his Bible school, and to his own family.

A week earlier, Sheraz was working at the factory to support his parents and three sisters when he got into a discussion with some Muslim coworkers. They became angry, and other workers reported a heated argument. That was the last time anyone saw Sheraz alive.

Sheraz had known the risk. Many others in Pakistan had been killed for sharing their faith. Others had been accused of blasphemy and locked away in prison. But the gospel message was too good, and Sheraz just couldn’t keep it to himself.

The members of his church wouldn’t take the letter’s advice either. They continued to preach to Muslims, offering Jesus’ love to those enslaved by the hatred and fear of Islam. They, too, knew the risks, but they have continued and will continue, even if they must follow Sheraz’s example.

The most effective witness is a sincere one. We don’t have to memorize the theological significance of the atonement to tell others that Jesus makes a difference in our lives. All Jesus asks is that we testify to what we have seen and heard with our own eyes and ears. Our personal experience is the most powerful argument for faith in Jesus Christ. No one can dispute it, because it happened to us. Are you hesitant to share your faith? Are you afraid you will say the wrong thing or be stumped by someone’s questions? Just say what you know to be true. Your personal experience makes you an expert witness in the case for Christianity.

Excerpted from Extreme Devotion, a book of 365 true accounts of men and women who totally sold out for Jesus. You can order a copy of this book from our online catalogue or by contacting our office.