A large percentage of the Bible is dedicated to stories of faith, testimonies of those who have known God and followed his will (or not). The spectrum is complete in scripture: some were completely unfaithful while some were faithful even at the cost of their lives. By the way, some were also disobedient at the cost of their lives! Everyone had their ups and downs, but God’s word obviously applauds those who demonstrated faithful obedience and paid the ultimate price for it. The book of Revelation tells us this powerful message about God’s people: Rev. 12: 11 "And they overcame Satan because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.
One true test of faith is this: will we continue to confess and follow Jesus Christ when is becomes inconvenient… and difficult… and even dangerous? Everywhere scripture attests to this.
Jesus said in John 16:1 "These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling.
2 "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
3 "And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me.
4 "But these things I have spoken to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
Jesus said in Matthew 10: (in the context of sending out his disciples to preach the gospel throughout Israel but foreshadowing the global evangelization call; things will be very very challenging!) Verse 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Jesus is telling us: “I am worth giving your life for! And this cause will cost some of you your lives. Prepare, be courageous, I will lead the way and be with you all the way!”
In the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation two of the most important books besides the Bible to attract converts to Christianity were Foxes Book of Martyrs and The Bloody Theatre, (actually the titles are a bit longer). The Bloody Theatre is a history of martyrs that ran to 1290 pages in its Dutch publication in 1660. Both books were testimonials, descriptions of trials, torture, and excruciating deaths of faithful Christians.
You might not think that such stories would ENCOURAGE people to become Christians, but they did and they do. This is partly because they force the questions: “Were these who gave their lives being foolish or wise?” And, “Was this cause one that I should reject or embrace?”
Perhaps that’s part of why the Holy Spirit included three New Testament martyr stories: First is Jesus Christ, whose story is told over and over throughout the New Testament, second is Stephen in Acts 7 and third, the apostle James in Acts 12. Another martyr, Antipas, is mentioned in the book of Revelation, and many unnamed martyrs are also depicted there, but without a story as background.
Let me read you this little piece from my Historical Theology text book: Miles, p. 39.
Origin of Alexandria, d. 254. “Most of the details of Origin’s life come from the fourth century historian, Eusebius. After several generations in which there were no persecutions in Alexandria, and churches had become large and secure, the Severan persecution broke out in 202. Origin’s father was martyred, along with many other Christians. According to Eusebius, the young Origin’s zeal to share his father’s martyrdom was so great that his mother hid all his clothes so that he could not leave the house. At this time Clement was head of the catechetical school in Alexandria. When Clement died in 215, Origin became the head at the age of eighteen. At least seven of his pupils were martyred. He visited them in prison; he was in court when they were tired; he embraced them when they were about to be executed; and he accompanied their bodies to the cemetery, and then returned to resume his teaching.
Later, Origin expressed nostalgia for those “good old days.” It used to be easier, he said, to tell who was a real Christian and who was not. Those were the days when Christians really were faithful, when the noble martyrdoms were taking place, when after conducting the martyrs’ bodies to the cemetery we returned to meet together, and the entire church was present without being afraid, and the catechumens were being catechized during the very time of the martyrdom and while people were dying who had confessed the truth unto death… Then were the true believers, few in number but faithful… But now when we have become many, out of the multitude that profess piety there are extremely few who are attaining to the election of God and to blessedness.
Don’t we tend to honor those who give their lives for noble causes? But do we not also admire those who escape death but endure amazing hardships and trials while standing for a cause they deem worthy of giving their lives for? The end of Acts tells just such a story. Paul will ultimately give his life for Jesus Christ, but not before finishing the task of testifying to the grace of God over and over again. (Survey Acts 22-28). Let’s ask the questions: Was Paul foolish or wise here? Was the cause he stood for one we should reject or embrace?
Of course, here I stand in church where we all confess Christ and appreciate these matters. But times are changing all around us! It appears almost certain that our faith will face more severe challenges as these changes continue to bring more dark clouds of immorality into acceptance, some even with the muscle of legislation behind them.
Can you bear witness and testify to God’s grace in your life? Can we as a church bear witness to God’s grace in Jesus Christ?
Jesus calls all of us to confess our faith in Him before men. We are called to do this when it is easy and when it is not. (Ask individuals beforehand to be ready to stand and confess their faith in Christ). Would you join me in confessing these words? “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is the Lord of my life.” (Say this together). Now, that is easy to do as a group isn’t it? How about standing up and confessing this alone? (Have those who have agreed to stand where they are and publicly confess). This act is less comfortable for some of us, even in the friendly environment of the church! Now imagine making this confession before a mob that will kill you for doing so.
How can God begin to prepare us and strengthen us so that every one here has the conviction and courage to stand for the Lord in the face of persecution? Are you ready for that? An even more sensitive subject is this: Are you ready to see your kids face persecution?
Listen to the words of a Christian woman in the 16th century who was in prison awaiting execution for her faith. This is a letter that to her infant daughter who was taken away from her and her husband at their arrest: Miles, p. 266.
Speaking of herself and the child’s father she wrote:
Let it be your glory that we did not die for any evil doing, and to strive to do likewise, though they should also seek to kill you. And on no account cease to love God above all, for no one can prevent you from fearing God. If you follow that which is good, and seek peace, and follow it, you shall receive the crown of eternal life; this crown I wish for you…
What can we do today to both bear witness to our faith and be strengthened to face future hardship if need be?
Will you dare to carry your Bible with you where ever you go? Will you dare to confess the name of Jesus Christ to others daily? If we will not stand for the faith we hold when times are easy, how will we ever stand with the storms come?
Let us pray and prepare our hearts and minds to stand for Jesus Christ who stood before Pilate and gave Himself as a sacrifice for you and me.
