Introduction: I was in Surabaya last month when, at 3 a.m., I received the news that Charlie Kirk had been shot. It turned out he died. This news was truly shocking and left many wondering, "Why would anyone kill him?" Many reports claimed he deserved to be killed because he spread hatred, was a racist, a supporter of fascism, and so on. These accusations, of course, do not align with the facts. He was killed because of his faith and the truth he proclaimed.
Have you ever seriously considered that in America, you have the freedom to practice any religion, but why are you a Christian? Do you realize that being a follower of Christ is costly? The Lord Jesus, in John 15:20a, said: "Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." Furthermore, in John 16:1-2, the Lord Jesus told His disciples: “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God."
What Jesus said really happened. In Acts 7:57-58, we read about Stephen being stoned to death. Furthermore, in Acts 8:1b, it is said: "On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." Therefore, they had to flee.
Eleven of Jesus' twelve apostles died by murder, for example: Bartholomew (skinned alive and beheaded)—James the Less (stoned and whipped to death)—Peter (crucified upside down)—Thomas (pierced with a spear)—and James the Greater (beheaded). The Apostle John was thrown into boiling oil, but survived. He was then exiled to the island of Patmos. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul recounts the various persecutions he experienced. He was later executed by beheading in Rome, under the Roman Emperor Nero.
Did persecution of Christians or followers of Christ only occur in the early days of the church? No! You can see in the PP how churches and Christians in many countries were attacked and murdered because of their faith. It turns out that persecution, even murder, of God's children continues to this day. So what Jesus warned about is truly happening today.
According to "The 2025 World Watch List" from Open Doors, more than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination because of their faith.176,000 Christians are killed every year, or 482 people every day, or 1 person every three minutes. Nearly 100 million Christians were killed in the 20th century (World Mission Digest).
Praise God, they were faithful to Christ to the death! What about us? If there were persecution of Christians in California, would we remain faithful to Christ? If Boko Haram, ISIS, Al Qaeda, or other radicals were coming here and arresting, kidnapping, and even killing anyone who remained faithful to Jesus, would we remain faithful followers of Jesus (like those Christians)?
Many Christians, let alone being persecuted, become disappointed in God and even abandon Jesus simply because their prayers and wishes are not answered, or because they experience an illness that doesn't heal, or because their lives are difficult. Some abandon their faith because they want to marry an unbeliever.
In my home country, a growing number of Christians are abandoning Jesus because their faith is shaken when their friends ask them, "You say the Christian God is one, but how come there is a Father, a Son, and a Holy Spirit? One plus one plus one is three, right?" Or when asked, "Is there a verse in your Bible that records Jesus saying, 'I am God! Worship me!'" They then abandon the Christian faith because they can't find the answers.
Today, we will learn how we can remain faithful followers of Jesus amidst all difficulties and temptations, even when we face persecution.
Luke 9 recounts how, after Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus made a statement that shocked His disciples: that He must suffer, be rejected, and be killed. The word Jesus used, "must," means it was certain to happen. The disciples did not expect their Teacher to experience such a thing.
Although Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah, he still did not have a complete and true understanding of who Jesus truly was and what His mission on earth was. He thought that as the Messiah, Jesus would be a "Superhero" who would liberate the Jews from Roman rule, establish the Kingdom of Israel like in the time of King David, and that His disciples would become important officials under Jesus.
Therefore, Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33 record that when Peter heard Jesus' words, he took Jesus aside and rebuked Him. But Jesus firmly rebuked Peter with very strong words: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Jesus firmly stated that the concept of a Messiah without suffering and a cross was Satan's idea. Do you remember when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert? Essentially, Satan offered Jesus an easy path, saying that Jesus wouldn't have to go through any trouble, let alone be tortured and killed to atone for humanity's sins. He would give the whole world to Him if Jesus would worship Satan. Praise God, Jesus firmly rejected Satan's temptation.
To be a faithful follower of Christ, there are three essential components of faith that we must possess. They are interconnected, so we cannot have just one or two of them. John Calvin explained these three components in his book "Confessions." Let's examine them one by one.
1. The first component is "Notitia," which means true knowledge or understanding of God. Every Christian must have a correct concept of the Triune God, who the Lord Jesus is, and what His mission is. We must know that God, who is one, exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We must also know that Jesus, the Second Person in the Trinity, incarnated as a human being. He suffered and even died on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity. He rose again on the third day, defeating death. And He will return to judge all mankind.
We must know that the Lord Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6). Without a true knowledge of the Lord Jesus, your faith will easily be shaken. Therefore, you must be diligent not only in daily devotional time but also in earnestly studying the Bible and participating in Bible studies. If necessary, purchase a good study Bible or Bible commentary.
2. To be faithful disciples of Jesus, we must also have "Assensus." "Assensus" means agreement or conviction in the truth of God's word. In other words, we believe that what the Bible states about the Lord Jesus is truly the truth.
John 1:12 says: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." True faith is not only knowing who Jesus is, but having a personal relationship with Jesus by accepting him as our Lord and Savior. Many Christians know about Jesus, but they don't have a personal relationship with Him. That is why they are easily tempted by the world's enticements and easily turn away from Jesus.
3. The third component is "Fiducia." "Fiducia" is obedience to do God's will and our complete surrender to Christ. While "Notitia" relates to our thoughts or understanding, "assensus" relates to our heart's agreement or conviction in His truth. Then "fiduciary" is our trust or act of surrender to do God's will.
Jesus not only corrected Peter's erroneous concept of the Messiah, but He also said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (verse 23). Like the Master, His disciples must also be willing to deny themselves and take up their cross. What does it mean?
Denying ourselves shows complete obedience to do God's will, even though it is not in accordance with what we want. So, for example, God says to you, "Don't repay his evil. Forgive him." You are willing to do it even though you don't really want to. Another example, God tells you to serve, you want to obey even though you don't want to do it.
Carrying our cross means we are willing to suffer for Christ and for His Kingdom. Many Christians misunderstand the meaning of carrying our cross; they mistake illness, problems in their marriage, or their job for carrying their cross. No! These are life challenges that everyone experiences. Carrying our cross is when you are insulted, hated, slandered, ostracized, and persecuted because of your faith in the Lord Jesus.
Many people follow Jesus for the wrong motives! They want to be healed, have their business/work blessed, or want an easier life. They are captivated by the teachings or sermons of the "Prosperity Gospel" that promise these things. However, Jesus actually warned of the price everyone who wishes to follow Him must pay: denying themselves and taking up their cross daily (not just on Sundays at church).
Many people go to church for the wrong reasons! Not for having fellowship with fellow believers, worshiping and praising God, and not for learning His Word. Rather, they enjoy gatherings (especially in America), enjoying the atmosphere: the comfortable room, the beautiful music, the good-voiced worshipers, and especially if the preacher is funny. So, they attend church like they're going to a concert or entertainment event.
What if the room is small, crowded, without air conditioning, or even music? If they want to praise God, they have to be quiet for fear of being caught by the police, like the congregation in China we saw at the PP? Would you still come if the room didn't have air conditioning, heating, or music?
Not all Christians serve God out of a sense of calling and devotion. Perhaps it's because they like being busy, like being "in charge," like being in the spotlight, like being praised, etc. They aren't really serving God but to fulfill their own emotional needs and egos. As a result, they often crave praise, like to show off, and easily become depressed if their opinions aren't accepted or if they receive criticism.
How is your faith today? Do you already have the three components of faith that we discussed today: “Notitia, Assensus, and Fiducia”? Without a true knowledge of who the Lord Jesus is, a heart that truly believes in Him and surrenders ourselves to Him, we will never be willing or prepared to deny ourselves and take up our cross! Because it is not an easy thing!
However, if we already have true faith, where we know that Jesus Christ is the Savior who sacrificed Himself for us, and He is the only way to heaven, then, like the apostles and disciples throughout the world throughout the ages who were willing to be persecuted and become martyrs, we too will be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus warned: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it; but whoever loses their life (Mark's Gospel: “for My sake and the Gospel's sake”) will save it” (verse 24). If we are faithful, even willing to be persecuted and lose our lives for Christ, He will save us and take us to heaven with Him. But if we are unfaithful and betray Christ to escape persecution, we will perish forever.
Therefore, in verse 25, the Lord Jesus asks a rhetorical question for us to truly ponder: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his own soul (Mark's Gospel: “forfeit his life”)?” Don't trade the Lord Jesus for the world! What does it mean to have a high position in a company, become wealthy, and get everything we want in this world, yet we will perish forever in hell?
Unfortunately, many people don't want to think about this; they only focus on temporary pleasures in this world while ignoring their eternal destiny. Jesus concluded His teaching with the joyful news: He will come in the glory of His Father, accompanied by holy angels.
At His first coming, Jesus came as a very humble man who was willing to be mistreated by the Jewish leaders, even tortured and killed to save us. But one day, He will come in all His glory as the King of kings and the Judge, who will judge all mankind. We, who are faithful to Him, will be with Jesus forever and receive His glory, such as those 21 Christians in Egypt killed by ISIS some time ago (see PP). In Revelation 2:10, the Lord Jesus commands us: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
May the Holy Spirit help us to know more Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, love Him, and commit to Him to the end.
