Be Faithful Unto Death, For The Crown of Life Awaits

Commentary

Jesus told the Twelve to go out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and spread the Good News of Jesus. The Jewish people were first in line to hear the news of Messiah, as they should’ve been able to make sense of all the signs that the Prophets had written centuries prior.

But Jesus didn’t just send them; He also warned them of the hostility they would encounter. He knew very well the stubbornness and hatred that His disciples would encounter on their mission to bring the Good News of Jesus to a hard-hearted people.

Fast forward to our day, and Jesus never said that this would stop being the case, but that it would increase, that the world would hate us, not just those of the house of Israel. In fact, there is coming a time when people who claim to be “Christian” will fall away from sound doctrine and will persecute those of us who are truly born-again in Christ Jesus.

Understand that the more you strive to live for your Savior, the more it will show in your day-to-day. Your worship and love for Jesus will transcend all boundaries of your life if you are indeed living for Him first. This world, which is currently ruled by Satan, does not like that one bit. As you share Jesus, you will be challenged, you will be spoken of poorly, and you will encounter people who wish to harm you and may do so if God allows it.

Walking as a disciple of Christ is not easy, never has been, or ever will be. As the first-century brothers and sisters faced immense persecution, I believe it’s only a matter of time before our days in the West mimic the hatred of Christians, just as it was in the first century AD and as it is now in many hostile regions across the world. But Jesus is with you, and He will see you through, just as He has seen many brothers and sisters through in these last 2,000 years.

Commentary

Stephen became the first recorded follower of Jesus to be persecuted to death for giving the Gospel. He gave the religious Jews, in his presence, a full run-down of the works that God had done among their ancestors and how it all connected to Jesus in their day.

Stephen then pointed out the errors of their ways, their generations of constant rejection of God through their fake religion, blatant disobedience, and persecuting of God’s prophets. Stephen was bold in his words as he painted the picture of Jesus being their foretold Messiah.

This was the mission that God assigned to Stephen, and he endured to the point of death. Those words he spoke were not from Stephen himself, but the Holy Spirit had given him the words to say.

Stephen was strengthened by God. He not only was given the Truth, but he understood the Truth, and Jesus was there in Spirit to welcome him home as he was martyred for his faith.

Commentary

Severe persecution is not limited to the first followers of Christ, and would continue into the decades and centuries after. Jesus warned this church in Smyrna, who was a group of believers who were living right for the Lord and were persecuted for it.

We can and should expect to face persecution in our lives for our love for Jesus. Our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are suffering every day. Places like China, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, India, and others are very hostile areas for real Christians to live. Yet their faith is unshaken, and they risk their lives just to own a Bible and to meet with their fellow believers.

Here in the West, we’ve not suffered such persecution. What we do experience currently are various forms of soft persecution. This comes in the form of censorship, being shouted down, being skipped over for promotions at work, or even let go for not adhering to agenda-based company policies that contradict God’s Word, and some are even being arrested for praying in various places.

What I believe could be coming to the West sooner rather than later is more extreme persecution. God’s Word gives us not only insight into past events, but in verse 11, Jesus states that anyone with ears, meaning born-again believers, whose spiritual ears are open, listen to His words. In other words, heed His warning of what to expect.

Commentary

Though Satan tries to subvert our mission of sharing the Good News by sending persecution our way, the mission must go on. Your heart may pound, your skin may be sticky with sweat, and your mouth bone dry, but this is truly life and death — and following the mission that the Lord has you on is vital.

It’s true that you may lose things in this life due to your love for Jesus and persistence in sharing the Gospel. But He promises blessing to those who risk it all for the Gospel and not only blessings, but in your enduring faith, eternal life, which is the prize that we seek, eternity with our great God and Savior.

Understand that whatever God has planned for your life, He will give you the means to complete it. As you’re tasked with pulling that proverbial plow, take on the yoke of Jesus. If you do, your feet will be moving and that plow going, but it will be the feet of Jesus doing the heavy work, all you must do is be willing.

Commentary

Brothers and sisters, we are citizens of Heaven. Once of this world, but now made children of the Most High. Our endurance in the faith promises each of us Heaven after we’ve departed this world. While we occupy this time, may we be making the most of the time, listening for the Spirit’s leading to those around us who need to hear the Good News of Jesus.

Live fearlessly for Christ in all things. Do not fear this world or what the enemy can do to you. Should you encounter severe persecution, be armored up, in God’s Word, in prayer, and fellowship with the Lord, leaning on Him for all that you will need to pass the test of your faith. Be like Isaiah when the Lord calls for a soldier to enter into a mission, with the attitude of “Here I am. Send me”.