"New Covenant Saint" martyrs are great examples of people who have honestly lived a life of faith, determination, love, and dedication. They have often been persecuted for their traits not only physically but emotionally. These people are special and often praised for their dedication to Christ. They have specific traits that makes them unique individuals and different from the rest of the world.

Definition of a Martyr
The dictionary defines a martyr as someone that would choose to suffer and die rather than renounce his or her belief. Another definition of a martyr is a person who sacrifices his or her life for a greater good — Someone who has deep convictions over a great value such as beliefs and ideologies.

A "New Covenant Saint" martyr is a more specific kind of martyr. They are a group of people who have dedicated their lives to the purpose of living life according to Jesus Christ. Their focus is upholding the teachings of Jesus by basing everything they do according to His Word and are willing to die, or have died in the name of Christ. There are many characteristics of a "New Covenant Saint" martyr and we are going to discuss some of their major characteristics in this article.

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Faith in Christ
The most obvious characteristic of "New Covenant Saints" is their faith in Christ. In fact, they can be considered as one of the most faithful people in the entire world. Their faith in Christ is so strong and because of this, their actions are always dedicated to Christ and the praise of God.

The faith of a "New Covenant Saint" martyr is the embodiment of what is described in Hebrews 11. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (Hebrews 11:1-3).

The faith of a "New Covenant Saint" martyr is an inspiring example for all of us living in this world. It tells us that if we have faith in God, our spirits will be filled with an everlasting, eternal joy despite the turmoil of this world. When we look at such martyrs, we see a light in their life. This is possible because of their relationship with Christ through their enormous faith in Him.

Determined to Follow Christ
Aside from being faithful to Christ, a "New Covenant Saint" martyr is also determined to follow Christ. "New Covenant Saint" martyrs are not swayed by anything else, especially if it is between following Christ and another thing. In fact, because of this act, they are usually persecuted. Their determination to follow Christ makes them endure all kinds of persecution in this world. Jesus gives reassuring peace to those who suffer and will suffer during this earthly life in Matthew 5:2-10, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of (from) heaven." In the last line of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasized that those persecuted because of righteousness will have the kingdom of (from) heaven. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why "New Covenant Saint" martyrs never sway from righteousness because Christ specifically promises the meek shall inherit the earth. Psalms 37:11 and Matthew 5:5. This promise is indeed very comforting for the "New Covenant Saint" martyr.

Filled with God’s Love
Aside from being faithful and determined, "New Covenant Saint's" are filled with God’s love. They are usually the people who have embodied what Jesus has taught in terms of love, as written in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." "New Covenant Saint" martyrs love everyone around them, even those who persecute them. In fact, even before their death, they pray for their per-pe-tra-tors (those who commit crime) because they still love them.

Their love tells us so many things about how God loves us, and how we can live our lives with love as well. This love example can be seen in the recorded stoning of Stephen, a New Covenant Saint martyr, who uttered the same loving plea as Jesus did on the cross, "And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:59-60). In like manner we can show to others, who afflict us, such Godly love and forgiveness that was shown us. Loving our enemies, loving our friends, and loving everyone is possible because we have the ultimate example through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the payment of our sins.

Dedication to God and Jesus Christ
Finally, "New Covenant Saint" martyrs are very dedicated, and because of their strong dedication to Christ and Our Father, they are often tortured to the brink of death. Dedication is the utter commitment to something, and in the case of the "New Covenant Saint" martyr, their dedication and commitment are towards Christ.

"New Covenant Saint" martyrs are great examples of people who have truly lived a life of faith, determination, love, and dedication. They are usually persecuted for their traits not only physically but emotionally. Historically, people who had a "New Covenant Saint" attitude were tortured physically to the brink of death. In this modern-day, there are some "New Covenant Saint" martyrs who die untimely deaths as well.

The present-day world can be very harsh for people who have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ because of the many ideologies or absence of ideologies that this present day is facing. However, despite the harshness of this world, "New Covenant Saint" martyrs continue to shine their light by showing their faith, determination, love, and commitment to the Father and Jesus Christ. We can indeed take inspiration from their faith in Christ.
 

You might ask how "New Covenant Saints received their faith? "So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of God." (Rom 10:17). They have chosen to "Diligently study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing (understanding) the Word of the truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). "I have given them Your words, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You would take them out of the world, but that You would keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in Your truth; Your Word is the truth. Even as You did send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." (John 17:14-18). They believe in being a living sacrifice: "I exhort you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service. Do not conform yourselves to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind in order that you may prove what is well pleasing and good, and the perfect will of God." (Rom 12:1-2). Remember: "In the same way also, faith, if it does not have works, is dead, by itself." (James 2:7).

What is a Martyr?

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