Defending. Contending.

Christian magazines, TV shows and church services often put the spotlight on famous athletes, beauty queens, businessmen and politicians who “make it in the world and have Jesus too!” . . . The typical media testimony goes something like this:

“I was sick and broke, a total failure. Then I met Jesus. Now everything is fine; my business is booming, and I am a great success.”

It sounds wonderful. Be a Christian and get that bigger house and a boat and vacation in the Holy Land. But if that were really God’s way, it would put some Christians living in communist countries and in the Two-Thirds World in a pretty bad light. Their testimonies often go like this:

“I was happy. I had everything–prestige, recognition, a good job, and a happy wife and children. Then I gave my life to Jesus Christ . Now I am in prison, having lost my family, wealth, reputation, job and health. Here I live, lonely, deserted by friends. I cannot see the face of my wife and dear children. My crime is that I love Jesus.”

- K. P. Yohannan