I have been thinking a lot about persecution and martyrdom. Christians all throughout history have been killed and tourtured, just because they believed. There are countries in this world where it is illegeal to believe. If you do, they kill you!
The Bible discusses this topic in great depth.
Here are a few things people in the Bible experienced when they lived by faith (found in Hebrews 11)
33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. (Hebrews 11:33-35)
“Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated– the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:36-40)
That last part that says…”And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.” Even though all looked lost from a human standpoint, they still believed God, knowing that the sovereign God could and would keep His promises even beyond the grave.
For me it all comes down to this statement:
SACRIFICE THE TEMPORAL TO GAIN THE ETERNAL
Ask yourself these questions:
What if you had been born into a country where it was illegal to believe?
What if you were found out?
Would you shrink back or rise up?
Would you deny your Jesus?
What if they tortured you? threatened to kill you? threw you in prison? kill your family?
How far are we willing to go for God?
He went all the way for us and did everything! Let’s have the faith to sacrifice the temporary, knowing we gain it all in eternity.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
