The persecution of Christians has been occurring since the Crucifixion. Being “sawn in two” is pretty gross as well (Hebrews 11:37).

David Platt  is trying to get Americans to sense the fear of persecution and its prevalence abroad, which I don’t fault him for. But chances are many of his people are still daydreaming about Auburn winning the national title, and he knows it.

We have been blessed to live in the USA and unless we make a radical change in our lifestyles and move into “the danger zone,” or until our freedoms are taken away, we will have it easy.

I would hope that those who go abroad would have a true missionary mindset, rather than a “mercenary mindset,” i.e. someone who craves exposure to danger and adventure, but who can extricate himself at any time.

There is a front that I think some are onto in our country that can set Christians apart, and that is authentic service to the downtrodden. This front is addressed in the last installment of The Truth Project.

So there are two realms where the modern church can make a bold impact: 1) the commissioning/placement of truly called-out missionaries into strategic battlegrounds in foreign lands, and 2) the practice of authentic compassionate service in close proximity to where we live.

At the heart of all this is a teaching and training function, i.e. discipleship, at the basic levels of one-on-one, and in selective small groups of committed men (and women).

HOWEVER, we need to get studied up on our own time so that we are ready for whatever’s in store. There is no substitute for the aggregate time spent in deep study of God’s Word. All particular callings emanate from this power source!

No one is ready until he has spent hours and hours of intense Bible study and reflection and prayer on his own time. This can be done concurrently with conducting the mundane affairs of life using every spare moment.

As a discipler, I want to invest my time into those kind of men.

Time is short.