Martyr's Oath

My Facebook sidebar led me to the website for Hopegiver's International, which sends out pioneer missionaries. All their missionaries have to pledge their lives to these things before they're sent out to some of the least-reached places on earth. Of the many they've sent, 17 have been martyred. I was inspired by this list so I thought I'd share it. I'm so far from the mark, but everything in me wants to say "yes!" to these statements.

• I stand with the Apostle Paul in stating that “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
• I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my hands to serve all mankind.
• I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my feet to spread the gospel to all the ends of the earth no matter what the cost.
• I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my lips by proclaiming the Good News to all who hear and by edifying the body of Christ.
• I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my mind as I meditate upon His Word and His promises to me.
• I give my earthly treasures and all that I possess to follow the way of the cross. ➵ I commit to love my family, orphans, widows, lepers, the wealthy and the poor the way that Christ loved the Church.
• I surrender my will and life to His will and life.
• I commit to the service of the Lord by being a good steward of my time.
• I surrender this body on earth to the perfect will of Jesus and should my blood be spilled may it bring forth a mighty harvest of souls.
• I pledge allegiance to the Lamb. I will seek to honor His command. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
• Lord Jesus, Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ➵ I love my nation and my fellow citizens and I claim my nation for Christ.