RUSSIA: HYPOCRITES
They were singing choruses when the two soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the Russian soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes.
"What are you doing here?" They shouted. "Worshiping your imaginary God?" The church members cowered in their pews, wondering if there were more soldiers outside.
"All of those who are faithful to God, move to the right side of the church," said one of the soldiers, his face a mask of hatred. "You will be shot for your faith. You who wish to go home and keep your life, stand on the left side. You must decide to live or die. Those who are faithful to this 'God' will die. Those who deny Him can live freely."
Ten minutes earlier everyone had sung praises equally. Now it was a question of life or death. Some stood to the left, looking sadly or waving apologetically to those on the right. Some stood on the right, their eyes closed in last-minute prayers.
"You on the left are free to go," one of the soldiers said moments later. Those people filed out, taking one last look at those who would soon be dead.
When those on the right remained, the soldiers put down their weapons. "We, too, are Christians," they said, "but we wish to worship without hypocrites."
Story taken from Extreme Devotion, Voice of the Martyrs
5 comments:
Great story! :P
I'm glad you had a great trip! I like to travel, except for the car sickness! *ugh*
My Rabbi tells this story all the time. I love it. Going to start writing the letter today. Warning-it will be a long one. lol
I have heard that before...makes you think of what you would do in the same situation...
and of others who did the same...Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego....
C~
I think I've heard this story before...what a great message! thanks for sharing it!
We get voice of the martyrs too. So I have heard that before, isn't it convicting? Would I stand on the right?
~Joanna
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