As mentioned in a previous post, I just finished up participation in a six-week Bible study at my church on the topic of the reformers of the church leading up to and concluding with Martin Luther. What struck me is how most of these people were put to death by the Catholic church. Some were summoned before the church leaders and bravely went while others fled. I wondered which was the right way?
Jesus actually gives direction on the topic: "When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes" (Matthew 10:23). While the exact interpretation of this last sentence isn't known, the general point is clear: as people flee persecution there will always be somewhere else to continue the ministry. In fact, history has shown that persecution has been one of the greatest blessings of the church, helping to spread the Christian faith quickly over far distances.
But while Christians are to flee with the gospel to other areas, they are never to fear. Several verses later Jesus says, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell."
If we would be captive to fear we would not open our mouths to proclaim the gospel as God wills. He says we should not be afraid of what people can do. There is a huge spiritual cost to that, both for ourselves because this shows a lack of faith and for those who were not reached with the hope of heaven.
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