Reading about the First Crusade challenges me to reflect on my own heart. Am I willing to sacrifice my bodily safety and comforts for the sake of my beliefs and faith in God? Do I genuinely believe that He is worth the cost? These reflections have come from reading some of the details of the intense persecution described on page 81, "pull out the end of their intestines" and "shoot arrows at others tied to stakes" and so on. I do not want to be like Rainald who is described as "lukewarm" in his "fight for the Heavenly King and Heavenly Kingdom" (86). He renounced his faith, and therefore deserved "to lose God's grace" (86). What do we make of this leader's example, other than to do everything we can to avoid making that same mistake? We must learn from the history of the Christians who come before us, and make the decision to either commit to faith, or choose to save our own lives.
I commented on Hannah and Jacob's posts!
I agree with this reflection. In all honesty, I don't think I could do the things the Crusaders had to do and did sacrificiously.
ReplyDeleteI agree, he was a leader and renounced his faith. It is convicting in the sense that I am examining my own heart.
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