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Lessons from Martyrs for the Modern Church: When Christianity Costs Your Life
“Every soul won for Christ must also be made a soul winner, no matter the cost.” — Richard Wurmbrand (Tortured for Christ)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What does it really mean to follow Jesus Christ?
In today’s culture—especially in the United States—being a “Christian” can easily become a label instead of a surrendered life. Church attendance, worship music, and Bible verses in bio sections are good… but Jesus never called us to a comfortable Christianity. He called us to die to self, pick up our cross, and follow Him daily.
In this episode, I reflect on how watching Bonhoeffer and Tortured for Christ on Angel Studios shook my faith and forced me to ask one question:
Am I truly following Jesus—or merely agreeing with Him from a distance?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer boldly opposed Hitler and the Nazi regime, refusing to compromise his faith even when it cost him his freedom—and ultimately, his life.
Richard Wurmbrand endured 14 years of imprisonment and torture under Communist oppression for preaching Christ, yet never stopped loving his captors. After his release, he founded Voice of the Martyrs to give voice to persecuted believers worldwide.
These men didn’t just believe in Christ—
they obeyed Him unto death.
Jesus warned us clearly:
Matthew 5:10 (ESV)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Today, we live in a nation where we are still free to own Bibles… gather… worship… speak… and evangelize.
But the question remains:
What are we doing with our freedom?
Jesus did not hide the cost of following Him:
Luke 9:23–24 (ESV)“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”
Salvation is free.
Discipleship is costly.
Around the world, Christians still suffer imprisonment, violence, and death. In parts of Europe today, believers are being fined, arrested, and silenced for praying publicly and preaching the gospel. Antisemitism and hostility toward biblical Christianity are increasing.
Yet in America, while we still enjoy freedom of worship, too many remain silent.
Paul declared without hesitation:
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
And Jesus gave His final command:
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Following Jesus does not mean blending in.
It means standing out.
It means dying to self.
It means obeying God above culture.
It means loving Christ more than comfort.
And it may one day cost us everything.
This message is not meant to frighten you—
it is meant to awaken you.
Not to shame you—
but to strengthen you.
May God find us faithful—not because suffering is what we desire, but because Jesus is whom we love above all.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” — Dietrich BonhoefferIf you are ready to count the cost…
this message is for you.
*This is from my YouTube channel Blessings with Blanche. Please click like, share and subscribe.*
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By Blanche DiDomenico BSN RN Christian Life Coach“Every soul won for Christ must also be made a soul winner, no matter the cost.” — Richard Wurmbrand (Tortured for Christ)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What does it really mean to follow Jesus Christ?
In today’s culture—especially in the United States—being a “Christian” can easily become a label instead of a surrendered life. Church attendance, worship music, and Bible verses in bio sections are good… but Jesus never called us to a comfortable Christianity. He called us to die to self, pick up our cross, and follow Him daily.
In this episode, I reflect on how watching Bonhoeffer and Tortured for Christ on Angel Studios shook my faith and forced me to ask one question:
Am I truly following Jesus—or merely agreeing with Him from a distance?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer boldly opposed Hitler and the Nazi regime, refusing to compromise his faith even when it cost him his freedom—and ultimately, his life.
Richard Wurmbrand endured 14 years of imprisonment and torture under Communist oppression for preaching Christ, yet never stopped loving his captors. After his release, he founded Voice of the Martyrs to give voice to persecuted believers worldwide.
These men didn’t just believe in Christ—
they obeyed Him unto death.
Jesus warned us clearly:
Matthew 5:10 (ESV)“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Today, we live in a nation where we are still free to own Bibles… gather… worship… speak… and evangelize.
But the question remains:
What are we doing with our freedom?
Jesus did not hide the cost of following Him:
Luke 9:23–24 (ESV)“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”
Salvation is free.
Discipleship is costly.
Around the world, Christians still suffer imprisonment, violence, and death. In parts of Europe today, believers are being fined, arrested, and silenced for praying publicly and preaching the gospel. Antisemitism and hostility toward biblical Christianity are increasing.
Yet in America, while we still enjoy freedom of worship, too many remain silent.
Paul declared without hesitation:
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
And Jesus gave His final command:
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Following Jesus does not mean blending in.
It means standing out.
It means dying to self.
It means obeying God above culture.
It means loving Christ more than comfort.
And it may one day cost us everything.
This message is not meant to frighten you—
it is meant to awaken you.
Not to shame you—
but to strengthen you.
May God find us faithful—not because suffering is what we desire, but because Jesus is whom we love above all.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” — Dietrich BonhoefferIf you are ready to count the cost…
this message is for you.
*This is from my YouTube channel Blessings with Blanche. Please click like, share and subscribe.*