MY ALL FOR JESUS

For He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What will man do to me?” 

Hebrews 13:5b-6 

70 years ago on January 8, 1956 the world was shocked to hear of the brutal deaths of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian in their quest to share the gospel with the Auca Indians or the Waorani as they are called today.  Why would God allow these faithful servants of His to be killed?  I believe the answer to that is found in the favorite Bible verses of these men.

Jim Elliot: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose". His quote reflects Matthew 16:25: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”  Nate Saint: "And people who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries? They forget that they, too are expending their lives... and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.”  His quote goes along with John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: that one lay down his life for his friends.”  The other three men shared a common commitment to Mark 16:15: “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”  They each believed that Christ was to be obeyed, even unto death.

Just like these men we know not what the next moment holds.  Because of the testimony of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming and Roger Youderian and the future work of their families, thousands of people worldwide dedicated their lives to serve Christ and some 300 Waorani became believers in Christ.   Who will you share the gospel with today no matter what the cost?

Bob Kulp