In 1988, I was working in a Muslim country. It was not illegal to be a Christian but it was illegal to proselytize. A Muslim colleague of mine had converted to Christianity and he and his wife were holding regular Bible Studies in their home. One day, in the early hours of the morning, the Religious Police burst into his house, seized him and took him away to an undisclosed location. It took several days to find out to where he had been taken and no amount of pleading was successful in obtaining his release.

Over the next 9 months or so, he was told that if he renounced his new-found faith, he would be released. He declined. When asked if there was anything he needed, he would reply that he just wanted his bible, a request that was, of course declined. From day to day, he became close to his captors and would hold conversations with them. It was reminiscent of some of the writings of Paul when he was imprisoned.

“As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (Philippians 1:13). Hilmy’s submission to his Lord was apparent to all with whom he came in contact, especially his jailers.

After he had been in jail for about 8 months, he wrote to me as he learned that I was about to leave the country for another assignment. I have kept that letter as a treasured possession. The letter would have had to go through censorship at the prison, but they were not Christians and would not have understood some of the meanings or origins.

Here are a couple of phrases that particularly resonate with me even today.

“Although it wishful thinking that we will meet before you leave, but nothing is impossible with Him. So far, He has upheld me and protected me.” (See Luke 1:37; Philippians 4:13)

Hilmy will always remain a personal hero to me in his act of submission. He submitted to the authority of Christ, not the authority of the government. Although he passed away a few years ago, he had been released and continued to be an active Christian. His life was preserved and strengthened by his Lord upon whom he relied in total faith and obedience. His example always challenges me to think about the question. “If being a submissive Christian was a crime, would they find enough evidence to convict me?”