How would you feel if you were arrested for a post on Facebook?
These days there are many books and methods presented on sharing the Gospel with others. Sharing our faith at times can be a bit scary, and so we turn to these various books and methods on how to approach a person with the Gospel. Yet, most often, our best approach to tell of Christ is simply being available as God leads.
The Apostle Peter testified, and the leaders noted he and John were “uneducated, common men” (Acts 4:13). The Apostle Paul sang hymns in jail and the church was planted in Philippi (Acts 16:25-34). And in case you say, “those guys were apostles and set apart for this ministry”, common, no name people under persecution advanced the Gospel in public and private (Acts 11:19-21). Just tell the story of what God has done for you, and from Scripture, what He has done since the beginning of all time. He alone opens hearts, and ordains our days, and sets faithful believers apart for His glory. Be ready this week, God will place you where you need to be to tell His story in your life.
Pastor Sergei [name changed] is a bold witness for Christ in Belarus. He strives to tell of Christ at all times, and through all means. It seems even the government heard of his teaching.
“In December, after the brothers and I had prayed together at six o’clock in the morning on Zoom, we got a call at our house. I looked out the window and saw that it was police officers. They arrested me, handcuffing me, for my posts on the Internet. Although, God used that circumstance to witness for Christ. So, I spent four days behind bars. I was able to witness to many men about Christ. I spent two days and three nights in the temporary detention center. There were three other men in the cell with me: two Yuris’ (one atheist and one Catholic) and Sergei, a nominal Orthodox. In this isolation cell from 6 AM to 10 PM you cannot do anything, but you can talk.
The atheist asked me a lot of questions. During the first meal in the cell I stood up and prayed to myself. When dinner came, Yuri the Catholic asked: “Well, Vasily, go ahead and bless the food, I think the atheist doesn’t mind.” I prayed. Then we talked again. Then the meal and again I prayed for each of them, for their wives, and children, for the Lord to strengthen them and let them bear this ordeal. All of them had been arrested for political reasons. So, at every meal I prayed. When the final meal came, Yuri the Catholic and Sergei sat down and started to eat. Yuri the atheist comes up and suddenly says: “Eh! What about a prayer?! We are used to it!” “Oh, sorry” said Yuri the Catholic and got on his feet to pray.
It was Sunday night, and I knew that on Monday morning I would be taken to court and we would part. Yuri the atheist said that for these two days he had changed his mind a lot and if he got out of prison, he would definitely come to church. He asked me to meet his mom and wife if I was released.”
How would you feel if you were arrested for a post on Facebook? Would you cry out about the injustice, dwell on your circumstances or would you take it as an opportunity to declare Christ. Sergei by his actions and words, and through the work of the Spirit, shared the Gospel and prayed for those lost and hurting around him. Wherever God placed him, he testified.
Then the morning came, and Sergei was released from jail. “After the trial (I was given a fine for my “crime”). I got out of jail on Monday, but Yuri the atheist was not released. I had a meeting with his mom, sister and wife. I conveyed to them Yuri’s request. I testified to them about God. At the conclusion of our conversation, I suggested them to pray, as they were very worried. From the bottom of my heart I turned to God in prayer, sitting with them in the car. They all cried and sincerely thanked me for my spiritual support. Praise God! Thus, the Lord used my circumstances for His glory. Of course, I talked to many other people during this time, but this was the most important testimony. And later in December we held an evangelistic service in the church. We invited our acquaintances, relatives and friends. Not everyone responded, but there were 10-12 strangers. Yuri the Catholic, who was behind bars with me, was at the service! After the service he came to our house and we talked for a long time. Two weeks later he invited me to the catholic church for a wedding. He’s 40 years old. His wife left him, so, he was already living with a girl. I talked to him about the need to legitimize the relationship and he decided to do it. So, my wife and I were at his wedding and congratulated him. Thank God for being able to witness to them of God’s love!”
Upon release from jail, Sergei did not cease to follow up and tell of Christ to all. And God did not cease to place people into Sergei’s life. Let us likewise be ready as God leads to tell of His story to all whom we met, sharing the Gospel and His Word. God is at work and in His timing. The results are His alone. Let us rejoice simply in the opportunity to know Christ and make Him known.
