There really is nothing new under the sun. In the 1st year of the world following the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, men were sent out to tell others in foreign countries of the love of Jesus. For most it was a “sending out” to a place likely producing life for others and death for the individual. They were 1st century kamikazi believers in Jesus.
“As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
I have been in a number of modern day church services, where there is a laying on of hands and a sending out of the individual. In Paul’s day, there was prayer and fasting among the group. The ones being sent didn’t uniquely step up and say, “Send me!” God did the selecting. The group heard from God and the two men were separated out. It is as if the entire group of men were prepared to be kamikazi. God uniquely selected who, when the time was right.
Can you imagine what it must have been like? There must have been an incredible air of expectancy. Each man wondering who would be honored to be sent of God and know likely death awaited the end of the journey.
I think today, there is not much expectancy at being sent and not much desire to be killed for one’s beliefs (at least in America). In other places, where life and death still hangs in the air for those who believe, I think faith is much stronger. It is amazing that two thousand years later, God is still calling out individuals to proclaim His Word to the uttermost ends of the earth.
But it doesn’t seem as likely for God to find a group of men all expectantly wondering if they will be the chosen two men to Kamikazi for Christ…
I pray that I might have a heart willing to Kamikazi for Christ in all things and at all times…
Note added later…
It has occurred to me, my thoughts might sound like a terrorist. This is far from the truth. The big overriding truth and difference is a believer in Jesus Christ is willing to die such that others will have life. The terrorist is willing to die and kill others at the same time. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do…
God Spots 
Hi Archie;
In a perfect world, people would not murder you for convictions or beliefs.
In this world they do, but it is not only the Christian who pays. The Jew paid for just being a Jew throughout history.
We see the oppression to peaceful followers of Buddha, Islam, Hindus, Tibetan Monks, anyone with a “spiritual” belief which may be deemed not worthy or different.
Franklin Graham reiterated a statement that he believes Islam to be “evil”. Yes there are evil Muslims, and evil Christians and evil Buddhists.
Islam honors Jesus Christ, but do not believe Jesus was God, but a teacher/prophet. Gnostics believe the same way. So do Jews.
Is it worth dying over the semantics of this?
Isn’t that against what Christ taught?
“Love God and thy neighbor,” he was reported to have said.
Most people have trouble with the first one and many can’t seem to do the second. How can you love a neighbor if you think his or her faith is “evil” and are bound and determined to go forth to “change” it?
I’m thinking the brand of Christianity Graham and the Catholic Church evangelizes reminds me of this line Jesus was reported to have said: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
My God and the God of other believers of “The Way” is a God of love. There is much love in the world. The love is stronger than the evil of this world, but there is evil today. It is foolish to believe all is love. To embrace evil in ignorance is to die an eternal death.
When people make statements that bother you and I, we are inclined to discount them as untrue. I find it of value when I am bothered by someone’s statement to explore why the discomfort? Just because I am uncomfortable with what is said does not discount its truth or lack of truth.
The spoken word can only be validated as truth when held up to the light of the written Word…
My observation has been that the true challenge for the American Christian is not to Kamikazee for Christ, but rather to Kamikazee to SELF and LIVE for Christ. The thought of dying for Christ is one I have mediated on and I honestly have no fear of such a death. It’s the Living Sacrifice of Romans 12:1 that I fear I faithfully offer at a level worthy of HIM.
@Ichabod – Either Jesus was 1. God – as the New Testament documents show he claimed to be and his followers believed unto their deaths. 2. A Liar. 3. A Lunatic. The overwhelming historical record leaves us no other option – including the Prophet/Teacher option – Those who choose this option are simply saying they don’t agree with the historical record – its the best they can come up with to openly avoid option 2. Unfortunately, it is an academically dishonest option as the historical record is not even remotely questioned by reputable historians today.
Your question – “Is it worth dying over semantics”
– “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I would submit that these differences are much more than semantics and are definitely worth dying for as reality reflects has always been the case when it comes to following Christ and his monumental Truth claims.
Faith that willingly steps up to the ultimate sacrifice of giving mortal life for Christ has Holy Spirit enablement going on. If I ever had to, I’m counting on the Holy Spirit in me to “get er done”.
That is rich Colleen. Once you have given all of life to God, there is nothing to lose in death and all to gain. Thank you!
Hi Robert W.
“Those who choose this option are simply saying they don’t agree with the historical record – its the best they can come up with to openly avoid option 2. Unfortunately, it is an academically dishonest option as the historical record is not even remotely questioned by reputable historians today.”
That is an untrue statement in respect to history. Josephus was a historian many Christians use to back up their claim that Jesus did indeed exist for he made two notations. However, many historians are in disagreement with whether these statements were written by Josephus or edited or added to his writings at a later date.
There is not much evidence at all of Jesus having actually lived other than the bible.
If you want to believe the bible that is fine.
Many Christians will not entertain any evidence that will cast doubt on the bible and there is plenty of evidence. They go out of their way at times to make people who dispute the bible as ignorant or misinformed or radical.
That is not true.
If science or the justice system or medicine operated with the same tunnel vision as some people who make claims about the bible, we would still be living in the dark ages.
“the truth shall make you free”… Jesus Christ
Some people sincerely believe that Christ was a prophet or teacher with the same fervor you believe Jesus to be more than.
If you wish to believe that for you, that is OK. But why should what other people believe be less than? Because of the words in a book which has evolved and changed with the course of time?