Praise the Lord everybody, let everything that has breath praise His holy name. God is moving by His spirit in these last and evil days. I look forward to being a witness as Gods plan unfolds and God willing, I live to see it all happen.
today I’d like to share with you on the subject of death and dying as it pertains to those of us who are Christians or as I like to call myself a “true believer.” I think every Christian at one time or another has searched themselves over the question of martyrdom. We all wonder what we would do if we had to make that choice of living for self or dying for our faith in Christ.
The thing is God has already called us to die. The dictionary describes a “martyr” as these two things: One who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles.
2. One who makes great sacrifices or suffers much in order to further a belief, cause, or principle.
Let’s look at number two; this describes what makes all true Christians a “martyr”. Jesus said in Mark 8:34-35 34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Paul also states in Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where ChIf ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
God has called us to be “self-martyrs.” To Commit self-martyrdom. Paul tells us that we no longer live but it is Christ who lives through us and in us. (see Galatians 2:20) Once we as Christians grasp the fact that “we” no longer live and no longer are subject to our fleshly desires, it becomes easier for us to live a sacrificial life. Romans 12:1 states I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
If you have read Acts chapters 6 and 7 then you are familiar with a true believer named Stephan who was the first Christian martyr. The bible says he was full of the Holy Spirit and his ministry was followed by “signs and wonders.” He was put on trial by the Pharisees and Sadducees for preaching the “blasphemy” of the gospel of Christ. He was found guilty and was taken out and stoned to death. Acts chapter seven states that Stephen did not deny Christ nor plead for his life verses 59 and 60 states 59 and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord; lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
You see Stephen was already a martyr, he had died to self a long time before this happened. His flesh did not cry out to live because he had already mortified his flesh and all he could see was Jesus as he asked God to forgive his accusers.
When we can get to the point in our relationships with Christ that Stephan had achieved we won’t have to question ourselves about whether or not we would be willing to die for our faith. We will be ready willing and able to lay our lives down for our faith, and then we will know what Paul was feeling when he stated in Philippians 1:21 for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Finally my Brothers and Sisters, I say give your lives totally to Christ and let Him decide what to do with it.
God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall
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