|
 Something
dies to put food on your table. The price of every meal is the
life of some plant or animal. Life is sustained by death.
In
awe we thumb the pages of history reading of those who confessed
Jesus as Christ. They were shackled in dungeons, slaughtered in
arenas, and tormented in the most horrible ways. Tradition
claims that all the apostles — except John — fell as martyrs
in the cause of Christ. It was a price paid so others could
live. “So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” (2
Cor. 4:12).
Another
chapter in history tells of dedicated men who labored to
translate and print the Bible. They were cruelly persecuted,
killed, and their bodies dishonored. All this so men could pick
up their Bibles and read. They died; we live.
Recent
decades witnessed men who burned themselves out carrying the
gospel over this land. Their lamps burned late over open Bibles;
dawn found them hard at work. Their pens were worn out writing
of what they learned. In volumes in my bookshelf stand the lives
of selfless men —Tant, McGarvey, Lipscomb, Campbell.... Life
was poured out bringing life to men.
The
scheme of redemption demanded Jesus’ death for man’s
life. Remember Caiaphas’ thoughtless comment, “... it is
expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and
that the whole nation perish not.” (Jno. 11:50). Hear the
ridicule at the foot of the cross: “He saved others; himself
he cannot save.” (Mt. 27:42). That is it! — exactly! Saving
others meant sacrificing self.
|
|
Jesus prayed, “. . if it be possible, let
this cup pass from me: “(Mt. 26:39). It was not possible to
spare him and save man too. He died; we live.
Consider
our reaction if decrees against our service to God were issued
today. How many Daniels could be found serving God “as he did
afore- time.” (Dan. 6:l0). Doubtless folk who quit when they
are called an ugly name or when discipleship costs them
something would not long endure with their lives at stake!
We
had better prepare for “... all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12). He did NOT say
all church members, but all who live godly. This is true
in any age or country. Don’t hunt persecution; do right and
the devil will find you. He does not have to worry with the
hit-and-miss, now- and-then church member. Such already nauseate
the Lord and have no good influence on anyone, but Satan cannot
ignore a godly man. He will try to destroy him. Our persecution
may be “sophisticated” (ridicule, financial and social
reprisal), but don’t discredit its impact. A wound to the
wallet or pride may be more deadly than stripes on the back.
The
martyr’s block may never call us, but we must die if we are to
live with God. “I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I
live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:...” (Gal. 2:20). The
martyrs had already given away their lives. Living for Christ,
we find courage to die for him. J . Fitch
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
