Dying for the Faith

Ever notice how we like to read and quote the "good" scriptures and just ignore the ones that don't make us feel all warm and fuzzy?

Today I'd like to talk about dying for the faith.  Why?  Let's take a look at a couple of scriptures.

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Revelation 6:9-11(NKJV)

9When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 

10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 

11Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Matthew 10:16-22(NKJV)

16“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 

17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 

18You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 

19But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 

20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 

22And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 

Matthew 10:34-36(NKJV)

34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

35For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

36and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ £ 

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We like to focus on the positive part of Jesus' message.  It's a message of love , peace on earth and brotherhood for all.  If everyone would just become Christians then we could sit around the campfire and sing Cumbiya. 

The thing that most of us like to ignore is that even Jesus told us that it wouldn't be that way.  The scriptures that I cited above are just a sample of the scriptures that warn us that we may be called on to suffer for Christ.  In fact Christ himself said 4“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. "

In this country that is just hard to imagine.  What is the worst that will happen to us here in this country?  We might get ridiculed or harassed a bit but no one is going to physically harm us or kill us over our beliefs. 

But the same can't be said for other parts of the world.  There are countries even today where people are killed for their belief in Christ.  Think about that.  Is Jesus real enough in your life that you would die for Him? 

As we approach the celebration of Christ's birth, please pray for courage, safety, and spiritual comfort for the people around the world who are actually in danger because of their belief in our Risen Savior!