Christianity Today, China’s Crackdown on Christians—and Their Defiant Faith:

John Piper’s sermons are often memorable, but one in particular has been seared in my mind ever since I first listened to it five or so years ago. I can still vividly hear his awestruck voice reading this passage from Hebrews 10:

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (vv. 32–36, ESV)

To joyfully accept the plundering of property—this is astonishing. It’s an especially surprising concept for many of us in the modern West, who generally worship without any threat of state-sponsored persecution.

“These early Christians were aliens and exiles whose true home was in heaven and in the age to come with Jesus,” Piper said in that 1993 sermon. “That world was so real to them and so precious that they did the unthinkable: They ‘joyfully accepted the seizure of their property.’ It’s the joy that’s so jolting here.”

I couldn’t help but remember that sermon again—and that incomprehensible joy from Christ’s church through the ages, despite so many waves of persecution—as I read Joy Ren’s reporting on the Christian churches facing a renewed campaign of persecution in China this week.

There, pastors, elders, and congregants are facing lengthy prison sentences for worshiping Christ. They have been subject to interrogation and surveillance, as well as intimidation by a government that wants to stamp out religion. But the congregants of Early Rain Covenant Church are still worshiping, still meeting together, still staying rooted in God’s Word, and they are approaching this moment of peril as a chance to point others to Jesus.

This quote, from a source close to Early Rain, stands out: “We are not arrested for ordinary reasons, but because of our faith—and even in these circumstances, we seek to bear witness to Christ not only to the world, but also, when possible, to police officers and government officials. … We also believe it is a chance to speak to the global church.”

Astonishing bravery, and astonishing faith.

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