The Insanity of Obedience is a bold challenge to global discipleship. In his provocative book, Nik Ripken exposes the danger of safe Christianity by calling us to something greater. How can modern day western believers rest comfortably in the status quo? How can we embrace casual faith in light of the radical commands of Jesus? Ripken brings years of ministry experience in some of the most persecuted areas of the world to bear on our understanding of faith in Jesus. He is convinced that believers in settings of relative freedom have the most to learn from believers that are persecuted. These are just a few of the lessons we can learn:
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution follow Jesus. Their faith is neither distant nor absent. These believers have not traded a relationship with Jesus for a religion, a denomination, or a political party.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution know firsthand the power of prayer and fasting. Talking to God and listening to God with a heightened focus are vital daily realities.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution re-create large portions of the Bible from memory. The oral Bible is all that they can take with them to prison. God’s Word is so much a part of them, that it can never be taken from them.
- In similar fashion, believers living victorious lives in persecution have committed large amounts of indigenous music to memory. They sing their songs as expressions of faith and as acts of worship.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution know that they are prayed for and not forgotten. This awareness is more than encouraging, it is life giving and faith saving. Believers living in persecution do not make it through the persecution alone.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution are certain that the local believing community will take care of their families.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution understand that their suffering is for Jesus’ sake.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution accept the fact that persecution is normal. It is not an indication that they have done something wrong. Persecution is the inevitable result of faithfulness.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution have claimed their freedom. They are free to share their faith in any setting.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution refuse to be controlled by fear. They desire to be defined by faith and obedience.
- Believers living victorious lives in persecution have a genealogy of faith. This is how the people of God have always lived and died.
Hebrews 13:1-3