Sometimes life makes us face tough choices; sometimes God reveals that the choice is simple.

The man
pictured below is Maurice, an Egyptian man who was also a commander in the Roman Legion. Maurice had
accompanied his men to the place where the battle was soon to be held. His men were the Theban Legion of the
Roman Army. The legion was comprised of almost entirely Christians from Northern Egypt by this point. Over the
years, the life and words of the Christian soldiers had an influence on their companions in arms and many conversions
were reported as the days and battles wore on. They had now been called to battle to put down a peasant revolt. The
peasants had grown tired of being oppressed and abused by the Roman Empire and had begun to resist them. They were
known as the bagaudae and they were the reason that the Theban legion (all 6,600 of them) had been called to Gaul
along with several other legions. The Emperor was so furious with this revolt, that he was leading the force in person.
When they arrived, they discovered two things that made them balk: (1) they were being asked to make war
on peasants, and (2) they were asked to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods on the night before battle. Maurice
and his legion resisted both of these requests. They continued to proclaim their faith and refuse to sacrifice even as they
were threatened and coerced. Finally, the Emperor ordered the decimation of the legion. This meant that all 6,600 men
were lined up and every tenth soldier was murdered. 660 men died because they refused to comply with the
Emperor's orders. The remaining 5,940 men were asked again if they would make a sacrifice and spare their own
lives. When the legion refused, they
were decimated again. 594 more
men died because they refused to
submit their lives and wills to the
Emperor. As they were decimated,
some of the men tasked with
executing them were converted by
the Christians' nonviolent resistance.
Even as they held weapons, they
allowed themselves to be killed. Each
murder made a strong statement
about the inability of the Empire ever
to win a single heart and will. Some
were converted because, in the
midst of death, they had seen true
life.
The remaining 5,346 were
given another chance to make
sacrifice and appease the Empire. As
they stood among the dead bodies of 1,254 people who had already made the sacrifice of their life for their soul,
they refused again. Maurice offered some words to his superiors: "We are your soldiers, but we are also servants of the
true God. We owe you military service and obedience; but we cannot renounce Him who is our Creator and Master, and
also yours, even though you reject Him. In all things which are not against His law we most willingly obey you, as we
have done hitherto....We have taken an oath to God before we took one to you; you can place no confidence in our
second oath if we violate the first....We confess God the Father, author of all things, and His Son, Jesus Christ. We
have seen our companions slain without lamenting them, and we rejoice at their honor. Neither this nor any other
provocation has tempted us to revolt. We have arms in our hands, but we do not resist because we could rather die
innocent than live by any sin."
After this, the Emperor ordered the slaughter of the remaining 5,346 soldiers. They stood still and allowed
their executioners to take their lives. Though it cost them their lives, they refused to sin. Though it cost them their
lives, they maintained the Faith that held them to a higher calling than the Empire. Their oath to God held them
stronger than any other and they laid down their lives in the proclamation of their faith and hope in God.