“as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Philippians 1:20 ESV

Out of the millions and millions of people around us, while thousands are dying each day through sickness, accidents, wars, and violence, God has chosen you to be alive on this very day—to glorify His name in any way possible.

If only men and women of God truly understood what it means to honor Him in all that they do, this world would be a far better place than it is today.

Paul writes that it is his expectation, his hope, and his eager desire that Christ will be honored and glorified in his body—whether by life or by death.

It may sound easy when we are evidently blessed. But will we truly glorify Him in times of crisis? In shame? In sickness?

John Stam and Betty Stam, young American missionaries to China, showed what it truly means to glorify God in both life and in death. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, they moved to China to continue their mission work. While serving there, they were married, and soon after, Betty gave birth to their baby girl, Helen Priscilla Stam.

During that time, China was in the midst of civil unrest, and Communist forces were rising. One morning, John received an urgent message that the Red Army was only a few miles away. He desired to take his family to safety, but it was already too late.

The soldiers broke into their mission compound, looted everything, and took John, Betty, and their baby as prisoners.

While in prison, John wrote a letter to the mission board.:

To our dear brothers in Shanghai:Today at Jingde, my wife, child, and I fell into the hands of the Communists. They demand a ransom of twenty thousand dollars for our release.

They have already taken all our possession, but our hearts are at peace, and we are thankful to the Lord for the small meal we were given tonight. May God grant you wisdom to know how to handle this, and may He grant us courage and peace. Nothing is impossible to Him; even at this time, He is our marvelous Friend.

Things happened all too quickly this morning. Many rumors in the past days have become reality at last. Nevertheless, the Red Army took the city in only two or three hours. There was really no time to prepare; it was already too late.

May God bless and lead you. As for us, whether by life or by death, may God be glorified.

Yours in the Lord, John Stam

December 6, 1934. Jingde, Anhui

While in captivity, the baby cried, and the soldiers, annoyed, began to mockingly discuss killing her. A Chinese prisoner, moved with compassion, pleaded for the baby’s life. He offered his own life in exchange—and he was killed. The baby was spared.

John and Betty were then forced to march to another town. That night, John was chained and left standing. Betty, with a mother’s love and courage, hid her baby in a sleeping bag. She left her with a few supplies—diapers, a little milk, and what little she had—trusting God with what she could not control.

The next morning, John and Betty were marched through the streets, mocked and insulted for their faith. Yet even in that suffering, they continued to stand as witnesses of Christ.

At last, they were ordered to stop. John was told to kneel, and he was executed. Betty followed moments later. John was 27, and Betty was 28. A local Chinese believer who showed them kindness also faced the same fate.

But the soldiers never returned for the baby.

For nearly two days, little Helen lay hidden and alone. Then a Chinese believer, Reverend Lo, came searching. He listened carefully in the silent house until he heard a faint cry. He found her—alive.

With great sacrifice, Rev. Lo and his family carried her through difficult paths and mountains for many miles until she was brought safely to a mission station.

This heartbreaking yet powerful story reminds us that the love of Jesus Christ is worth sharing—whether in life or in death.

Not all of us are called to be martyrs, but all of us are called to receive His love. And when we share the love of Jesus Christ and live it out in our daily lives, we glorify and honor Him.

As you love Him deeply and faithfully in every circumstance—whether in life or in death—you too glorify and honor Jesus, just like Paul and many others like John and Betty Stam.

The young missionaries grave who died in 1934 was inscribed like this

John Cornelius Stam

Born: January 18, 1907

Inscription: “That Christ may be glorified whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20

Elisabeth (Betty) Scott Stam 

Born: February 22, 1906

Inscription: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Their short life and gruesome death honored the love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is worthy of it all—to be glorified.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the life You have given me today. Help me to honor You in all that I do—in joy and in suffering, in strength and in weakness. Teach me to glorify You in every circumstance. Fill my heart with Your love so I may reflect it to others. Give me the grace to remain faithful, trusting You in both life and death. In Jesus’ name, Amen.