Passion Bearers

Throughout the world Christians are caught ‘in the crossfire’ of war. These Christian find themselves ‘on the wrong side’ of very powerful nations and movements. In many cases these same Christians are killed ‘just because’ they are Christians. They are called Passion Bearers.

Today is the commemoration of Saints Boris and Gleb the Passion Bearers. The difference between Passion Bearers and Martyrs isn’t that one died while the other lived. They both are killed for their faith. Martyrs have a ‘chance’ to betray God to remain alive. Passion Bearers are not given a choice.

There are modern ‘living’ passion bearers in society that live faithful to Christ. In their businesses, in their politics, in their daily lives, they always choose actions worthy of being called Christians even when these choices work against them or sometimes hurt them.

Passion Bearers do not proclaim their decision to be one of faith. They merely make a choice and live with the consequences. There is no fanfare, no public marketing scheme to ‘lift up’ the Church. Passion Bearers quietly live their faith, whether it ‘pays off’ or not in the world.

That is how we must live our faith. Instead of standing on the street corner and declaring our ‘social rebellion’ for Christ’s Church, we should quietly live as Christ wants us to live. If that life gains someone’s attention, they will ask us why we choose what we choose. Then we can tell them.

It isn’t noble drawing attention to our sacrifice for Christ. “Look at me! I’m being persecuted for Christ! Look at me! Tell them to stop persecuting me!” These are not words of Passion Bearers. They are words of our ego. They are words of pride.

Passion Bearers don’t hide their faith either. If we are asked ‘why’ we don’t play the game to stay in business or keep our job, we should have courage to reveal our faith in God. It isn’t faithful to lie about our choices. It isn’t pride to answer those who question us. It is faithful to be honest.

Passion Bearers are willing to lose a job instead of disappointing God. Passion Bearers are willing to ‘take the heat’ for the choice to live according to a higher moral standard. If the world tells them to cheat our business partner, Passion Bearers refuse to cheat and take the heat.