Evangelical leader stresses sacrifices of martyrs this Lent: ‘Be inspired by them’

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During Lent, you will need to recall those that have been martyred and persecuted for working towards their Christian religion and to do not forget that this persecution shouldn’t be a relic of the previous, evangelical leader Rev. Johnnie Moore advised Fox News Digital.

“The truth is plenty of Christians, comfortable in the democratic West, don’t care much about Lent at all,” mentioned Moore, who is correct now based mostly in Ukraine.

“It’s sufficient work to roll out of mattress a bit early to get to Easter companies, however to spend a month making ready for it – that’s a bit an excessive amount of,” mentioned Moore.

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Moore is president of The Congress of Christian Leaders. Twice appointed to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, he is additionally the writer of “The Next Jihad” and “The New Book of Christian Martyrs.”

While Christians within the West can observe their religion with out a lot concern, “all over the world, and especially in Nigeria, China and Iran, other Christians literally, daily risk their lives for the opportunity to commemorate Lent,” mentioned Moore. 

Image of destroyed altar at a church in Nigeria with an inset of Rev. Johnnie Moore

Rev. Johnnie Moore, proven at prime proper, says Lent is nearly as good a time as ever to do not forget that Christians are in danger worldwide for daring to observe their religion.  (Getty Images/Vitaly Manzuk)

“We should be inspired by their faithfulness,” he mentioned. “We should also give our voices to those whose voices are suppressed by their governments every day, but especially during these holy days.”

And whereas the phrase “Christian persecution” might invoke pictures of historical Rome and gladiators — it’s nonetheless occurring within the trendy period. 

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“More Christians have been persecuted in the last 100 years than in the previous 1,900 years – combined,” mentioned Moore. 

During Lent, believers “should be giving special attention to Christians worldwide whose basic spiritual practice may cost them their lives and livelihoods,” he mentioned.

a painting depicting the upside-down crucifixion of St. Peter

Christian persecution shouldn’t be a factor of the previous, mentioned one religion leader — and Christians within the West ought to be inspired by the resolve of those that threat their lives for his or her religion.  (iStock)

“We should remember the Christians in northeast Nigeria, where hundreds of Christian girls have been kidnapped, and where 70% of churches have been burned to the ground,” mentioned Moore. 

“We should remember the brave Christians in communist China who suffer in a country whose leader, Xi Jinping, thinks he is God. We remember the brave, praying women in the Islamic Republic of Iran whose faith in God not only has caused them to pray quietly, secretly in their own house churches, but to also bravely spill into the streets protesting.” 

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It is vital, mentioned Moore, to “not only speak up for them, but also be inspired by them …Persecuted Christians remind those of us who live in freedom that the beautiful, powerful message of Jesus is so much more valuable than we sometimes remember.” 

man holding sign saying "we want justice."

More Christians have confronted persecution within the final century than within the earlier 1,900 years mixed, mentioned Moore.  (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP through Getty Images)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus mentioned as a lot himself, mentioned Moore.

He added that Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven as “a very precious treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and his again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” 

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“In other words, Jesus tells us that if we really understood the Gospel, we would be willing to sell everything we had to buy this one thing,” he mentioned. 

“But, of course, because of His death, burial and resurrection, we know that the forgiveness of our sin is free.” 

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During Lent, mentioned Moore, “let’s remember that there are millions of Christians who are willing to die for a faith that most of us simply take for granted.” 

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