The Martyr’s Faith

 

The beatitudes seems to be one of the most generally known verses of the bible amongst Christians and being one of my very best verses, I discovered some things which I would be sharing with you today. 

Pick up your bible and read with me as God opens our understanding together.

Martyr

From history, a martyr is someone who chooses to sacrifice their life or face pain and suffering instead of giving up something they hold sacred while today the term is sometimes used to describe someone who seems to be suffering in one way or another based on their convictions.

Matt 5: 11-12 (KJV).

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

If you do the reading from verse three of this chapter where it started from, most versions were using definite articles (e.g the, those, they etc.), for example: blessed are the poor in spirit…, blessed are they that mourn…, and so on. But getting to verse 11, it became; “blessed are you!” Why?, and the last part of the verse ended with, “for so persecuted they the prophet which were before you.”

This must be to show us that even if the previous verses are not general to every man on earth, verses 11-12 are different. They are situations that as long we are focused on standing for righteousness wherever we are, as long as we have vowed to always be on God’s side, as long as we have chosen to remain pure and heavenly conscious, waiting for the coming of Christ, one thing is inevitable, which is the fact that haters will arise. 

Those whose ways are of the devil, knowing truly that your ways and conduct is of the Lord, yet, due to one reason or the other they can go to any length in order to see ones fall, either so as to join them or destroy the person (john 10:10). 

Although, no one would desire to have such experiences – as it’s not always soothing to the flesh—but if it were to happen, as Christians, what does the bible says we should do? 

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad (Matt 5:12). (smiles)

Think of it where do you think that joy will come from?

Well, let’s consider some martyrs that has gone ahead of us as examples.

The Martyr’s Faith.

Paul (the apostle) told the Corinthians “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ (1 Cor 11:1).” Here, the apostle is trying to show us that Christianity is all about living and acting the life style of Christ (the Messiah who came to reveal the culture of God’s Kingdom to us).

# 1 (The Apostles)

Acts 5:40-41 (KJV) 

"...and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

This story started in chapter 3 (which you can take your time to study later), as a result of a lame beggar—that sits at the gate of a temple called beautiful—who was healed by God through the apostles and through that medium thousands were saved. But the apostles were later held by the priest, and the priest warned them never to preach again in the name of Christ.

 However, the apostles, choosing to obey God rather than men, only became unstoppable for the gospel’s sake and their population was radically increasing. The priests, being filled with jealousy and indignation captured them again with thoughts of killing them, but later resolved to beating them. After all the beatings, the bible tells us that “they were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” But if it were to be some of us, all we do is to blame God, or even permit evil thoughts which can either cause to quit from God’s will or even loose zeal for  the things God.

Rejoice evermore

# 2 (Paul and Silas)

Most Christians know Paul and Silas. These are men that were divinely directed by God to go and preach in Macedonia. After days of effort in saving souls and establishing righteousness in the land. Enemies of righteousness stood up and stirred up crowds against them. They brought them before the Judges, convinced the judges till they too were thirsty see their blood, ripped off their (Paul and Silas) clothes and beat them so severely till wounds was all over their bodies. Then, they now put them into maximum security jail with no medical care. 

Acts 16:23-25 (MSG)

"After beating them black and blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jail keeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that--threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them. Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears."

Yet, to my surprise and everyone in that jail. When it was midnight they started praying and sang praises to God. Message version said “they sang robust hymns to God” and I imagine someone singing the hymn, “Amazing Grace” at that very moment. 

Although you might have excuses, but just imagine how they were publicly beaten for the gospel’s sake. Humans like us, yet, all they could resolve to is giving thanks and rejoicing. Knowing fully well that their reward will be great. 

Well, I can’t imagine what you might have been going through, but, what the bible says is rejoice and be exceedingly glad. They called Jesus different names, in fact John the Baptist was given another name to be devil (Luke 7:33-34), all these are just to show you that it has always been happening. Since the devil does not want any good for anybody (especially when it comes to eternity), he will do anything he can to make us fall. But just as the apostle did, you can just silence him, by giving thanks to God always and rejoicing in faith.

Here’s a Gift for you!

Dear reader, Don’t go yet! 

If you are not yet saved (I mean if you’ve not surrendered your life to Christ totally). The devil does not just have grip over your life (as he can do anything with it), your eternity is also at stake and Christ is coming soon-- just at the very moment you can’t expect. Hence, accept him into your life today, confess your sins, pray that he cleanses you with his precious blood and ask for his grace for continuity. 

Remember, Jesus loves you! (Peace)