Not Ashamed for Christ

Lenten Devotional- Day 28

God’s Word: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” – 2 Timothy 1:8

Story: Chi Faling was born in a small village in the mountains of Tongbai, Henan Province in eastern central China. She was the youngest of nine girls in her family. She became a Christian while in grammar school and by the time she was in her early twenties she went to study theology.

About 10 p.m. on August 13th, 2001, she was with some other Christians in a guest house when the police stormed their residence. They took Chi and two other Christians to the Zhongxiang Police Station where they were questioned.

“A slim man in yellow police uniform came and interrogated me” said Chi. “He asked my home address, name, and why I believed in Jesus. So I told him. However, he still flew in a rage.”

Chi and her friends were transferred to a prison. When they arrived, they saw that five other women from the school had also been arrested and tortured. For the next six weeks, the women were systematically tortured.

On September 30, 2001, Chi and her friend Li Xiong were sentenced to three years in a reeducation labor camp. Living with the drug-addicts and criminals, Chi felt compassion for them.

“The more time I spent with them, the more I felt that I should preach the Good News to them. It was especially so with the drug-addicts” said Chi.

Chi was released from prison on December 25, 2003. Just prior to her release, other inmates asked her what she was going to do once she was freed.

She replied: “Get to work! Get to work for the Lord!”

Just as Paul said, “If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting. Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.”

Meditation: Never be ashamed to give your testimony on how Jesus has given you new life in Him. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He is your Savior and seek to share His good news with others.

Quote: "You cannot hide a city set on a hill, nor can you hide a noble, worthy, steadfast Christian life." - W. A. Criswell

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” – Revelation 12:11