13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

 I had the privilege of teaching in Russia on a short-term mission trip. There was a period of time of openness when I read that even the Vice President of the KGB stood to speak, among other things he said, "Political questions cannot be decided until there is sincere repentance, a return to faith by the people. That is the cross I must bear. In the study of scientific atheism, there was the idea that religion divides people. Now we see the opposite: love for God can only unite. Somehow we must learn to put together the missionary role - absolutely critical for us now- and also learn from Marx that man can't appreciate life if he is hungry. "

Alex Leonovich was one of the visitors. He had been born in the Soviet Union.  He had escaped during Stalin's reign of terror and immigrated to the US 46 years earlier. He had been broadcasting Russian Christian programs by shortwave radio for a number of years. It was illegal to listen to The Soviet government tried to jam the reception.  He knew personally many Christians who had been tortured and persecuted for their faith.  Now for him to be received by the high officials of the KGB was incomprehensible. They were saying that repentance was needed before rebuilding was possible. Many Christians had been tortured and persecuted for their faith.  

Alex epitomized the old guard of warriors who had prayed, sometimes believing and sometimes not, for more than fifty years that change might come to the nation. He responded by saying, "General, many members of my family suffered because of this organization. I myself had to leave the land that I loved. My uncle, who was very dear to me, went to a labor camp in Siberia and never returned. General, you say that you repent.  Christ taught us how to respond. On behalf of my family, on behalf of my uncle, who died in the gulag, I forgive you." He reached over to the vice chairman and gave him a great Russian bear hug.

The General whispered, "Only two times in my life have I cried. Once when my mother died and the other is tonight." 

Many Christian Soviets still questioned if this was only a cover-up by the officials. But meeting after meeting astounded them. The editor in chief of Pravda the communistic publication said, "Morality is the worst crises, worse than the economic and political problems.  Christian values may be the only thing to keep our country from falling apart."     

Two years later I was able to go to southern Russia and teach pastors. I met a Communist director of a region who detested Baptists and didn’t like my being at an orphanage. I was invited to their school to speak on America. We were allowed to pass out Bibles. Unfortunately, It seems the mood of openness is changing again as Putin. It has returned to some more oppressive restrictions when it comes to faith matters. 

What type of witness does a commitment to Jesus Christ leave for those watching us?   What does the Lordship of Jesus Christ mean for us? What does it mean to the people of USSR? How important is a little religion in one's life? How important is complete and total dedication to Christ because He is God and there is none like Him?  

The Lordship of Jesus affects all areas of life. There will be open doors for a time in missions and other times restrictions hamper the spread of the gospel. Times are changing.

Prayer:  Pray for wisdom for our missionaries in various parts of the world.