A Contrast of "Martyrs"

For the past many years much has been said about those who desire to be "martyrs" for their faith. It is under false promises that these men, women and even children are led to a hatred of others that is coupled with a desire to give their life in the taking of the lives of others. They purpose to die in an effort to increase their chances of killing others and believe that such "martyrdom" is honorable, pleasing to and rewarded by their god. What a contrast there is with such thinking in the example we see in the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter 21. In both the 20th and 21st chapters of this book we find the aposlte being warned not to go up to Jerusalem as Paul had purposed to do. The Spirit had revealed to Paul himself that bonds and afflictions awaited him wherever he went. But the Spirit had not told him "so don't go". Those who cared for him were warning him not to go, and Agabus the prophet had prophesied of that which awaited him in Jerusalem. But Paul was determined to go and unmoved by their pleas. We read that he was not only ready to be imprisoned but to even died for the name of Jesus. He did not wish or purpose to die for his faith, but he was ready to. And his readiness was not out of hatred, but out of love. Love for God, love for Christ and a love for those for whom he might share the gospel message with. He was not driven to do that which would injure or kill those who did not agree with his message and beliefs, but to do that which brought life and that more abundantly. Paul was prepared to be a martyr for his faith; to be killed for sharing the hope of Christ out of the love and compassion within him. Perhaps we have mislabeled those in our day who wish to die for their faith in the killing of others. In the true sense of the word, I suppose the more accurate word would simply be murderers.