Friday, July 15, 2005

"Ready To Die"

Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).

The other night in our Bible Study my pastor referred to an incredible movement that I had previously never heard of. He shared of the vision of thousands of Chinese believers leaving their homes and going to Jerusalem, witnessing for Christ all along the way. Of course their travels will take them through some of the most spiritually resistant places on earth. I looked up the site and was so blessed and convicted by the incredible dedication and spiritual fitness of these Chinese believers. *

One part really got my attention. When I read this I confess that although we are so blessed with peace and prosperity here in the west our faith can be so shallow.  Here's a statement by our Chinese family members as they prepare for this journey:

"The Muslim and Buddhist nations can torture us, imprison us, starve us, but they can do no more than what we have already experienced in China for many decades. Thousands of young men and women will go as missionaries who are not afraid to die for Jesus. They are not afraid to bleed, as they know their bodies are merely temporary tents to be used in the Lord’s service and that one day they will be in paradise where there is no pain and no tears. They are not only ready to die for the Gospel, they are expecting it."

The title of today's message for most of us would probably initially be seen as a statement concerning our preparation to die in regards to having accepted Christ and making our peace with God. It is also used in the sense of having our affairs in order such as having a will, making financial arrangements, making funeral preparations, etc.

However the phrase means much, much more than that both to our Chinese brethren and to the Apostle Paul. In the daily text he is expressing a willingness to suffer and die for Jesus. Although he didn't die for his faith in Jerusalem he did eventually die as a martyr. He had also seen others die for their faith, beginning with Stephen.

Today I struggle as to how to complete this message. I realize for some readers this is presently very close to home. You live in a place where suffering and dying for faith in Christ is a daily reality. But for most of us it's not.  But I believe this could very well change and we need to prepare ourselves and our faith. May the Lord grant all of us a spirit of commitment and faith such as Paul had that we might also proclaim, I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's note: As a young Christian teen, during the ever-present threat of nuclear attack, I often asked myself if I would die for my faith rather than deny Christ.  Though I've never experienced the scenario I played out in my mind over and over I still want to be absolutely certain that if necessary I would die for Christ.  I recently heard or read a thought provoking statement, "One can judge a person's wealth by how much treasure he has stored up in heaven."

"Father, many times we've read Paul's declaration, 'For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.'  It's easy to apply this verse to his life as he was continually persecuted and faced hardships of all kinds.  He deserved the reward of heaven where he would no longer be imprisoned for his faith and He could be in Your divine presence.  Would You help us to apply this same verse to our own lives, no matter what position we hold in this life.  May the joys of heaven be the longing of our hearts that far outweigh our desire for perishable accumulation and temporary standings in this pilgrimage.  Keep us mindful that our temporary sufferings and ongoing persecution will only prove our faith to be genuine. In Jesus name, Amen.

* Here is the  "Back to Jerusalem" website.
This site has many interesting perspectives.

Here is the specific page the quote in today's encouragement came.