True Faith

In Charles Swindoll’s book Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, he shares the following illustration of true faith:

Many years ago a house church of the former Soviet Union received one copy of the Gospel of Luke, the only Scripture most of these Christians had ever seen. They tore it into small sections and distributed them among the body of believers. Their plan was to memorize the portion they had been given, and then on the next Lord’s Day they would meet and redistribute the scriptural selections.
On Sunday these believers arrived inconspicuously in small groups throughout the day so as not to arouse suspicion of KGB informers. By dusk they were all safely inside, windows closed and doors locked. They began by singing a hymn quietly but with deep emotion. Suddenly, the door was pushed open and in walked two soldiers with loaded automatic weapons at the ready. One shouted, “All right—everybody line up against the wall. If you wish to renounce your commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!”
Two or three quickly left, then another. After a few more seconds, two more. “This is your last chance. Either turn against your faith in Christ,” he ordered, “or stay and suffer the consequences.”
Another left. Finally two more in embarrassed silence with their faces covered slipped out into the night. No one else moved. Parents with small children trembling beside them looked at them reassuringly. They fully expected to be gunned down or, at best, to be imprisoned.
After a few moments of complete silence, the other soldier closed the door, looked back at those who stood against the wall and said, “Keep your hands up—but this time in praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters. We were sent to another house church several weeks ago to arrest a group of believers—“
The other soldier interrupted, “…but instead, we were converted! We have learned by experience, however, that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted”

I doubt that most of us will ever be called to die for our faith. Since that is true, I have a better question, “Are you willing to LIVE your faith?” We all have opportunities each week to make an impact for the Lord. It may be at the grocery store or at a PTA meeting; it may be with a family member, neighbor, friend, or co-worker. When the chance appears, are you willing to take it? Remember that faith that costs nothing, is worth nothing. What is your faith worth