But as persecution is always harsh and bitter, let us consider how and by what means Christians may be able to fortify themselves with patience, so as unflinchingly to expose their life for the truth of God. The text which we have read out, when it is properly understood, is sufficient to induce us to do so. The apostle says, “Let us go forth from the city after the Lord Jesus, bearing His reproach.” In the first place he reminds us, altho the swords should not be drawn over us nor the fires kindled to burn us, that we can not be truly united to the Son of God while we are rooted in this world. Wherefore, a Christian, even in repose, must always have one foot lifted to march to battle. and not only so, but he must have his affections withdrawn from the world altho his body is dwelling in it. Grant that this at first sight seems to us hard, still we must be satisfied with the words of St. Paul, “We are called and appointed to suffer.” As if he had said, Such is our condition as Christians; this is the road by which we must go if we would follow Christ.
-John Calvin (on suffering persecution)
And people wonder what is wrong with Western Men today.
If you re-make your society over to honor men who saw being tortured and killed without resistance "heroic" then you can expect that society to produce apathetic individuals who will not so much as lift a finger to right as many wrongs.
I'm reminded of something I read years ago which reads,
"Those who beat their swords into plowshares are destined to plow the fields of those who kept their swords."
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