Paul's Passing Thoughts

It seems there has been some interest lately among the Facebook crowd concerning testimonies from around the world in regard to those who refuse to deny Christ to save their lives. Underlining the posted videos and articles are passing comments of this sort: “I hope I would be willing to die for Christ if it came to that and what would I do if it did come to that?” Truly, a combination of things come together to challenge our thoughts on this. The testimonies themselves and the words of Christ:

“But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven [Matthew 10:33].”

It struck me the other day when I was doing some study on eschatology. In Matthew 24 and 25, Luke 17 and 21, I believe Jesus is speaking directly to those who will be living during the tribulation period when he says: “ Whoever seeks to preserve his life will loose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” Though the tribulation period will be a time of unprecedented slaughter in regard to Christians, we obviously face some of that in this age as well.

So, the question is indeed worth our time to ponder. I only offer some thoughts from scripture that have caught my attention concerning this subject.

First, 1 Corinthians 10:13 says the following:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

If I remember correctly, I believe I heard a Greek scholar say the phrase “way of escape” actually means “victory through the middle” in the Greek. This obviously makes sense because the following words speak of endurance and “bearing” up. So then, if we find ourselves in that situation, we know that God would not have allowed it unless he supplied a way to “bear up under it” as Kenneth Wuest also translates it. This verse also shows the very close correlation between trials and temptation with the words often being used interchangeably in the New Testament. Obviously, facing death in opposition to denying Christ presents a possible temptation in that regard, especially if they threaten to kill our family in front of us first. It’s by faith, we know Christ has supplied us with all of his strength and courage to bear up under it.

Secondly, I think it is important to know that in the midst of such a trial that there may be a significant struggle. In any trial, there may be a “bearing up” on our part, while it is God who makes the way of escape. This is a beautiful picture of how we dependently co-labor with God. Indeed, Christ told Peter that in his day of death for the sake of the gospel, others would take him to where “you do not want to go [John 21:18,19].” It is also interesting to note that immediately after telling Peter that he would endure the same death, he said “follow me.” I fear that many today could possibly walk into such situations perplexed as to why they are not full of joy and happiness. This would be a really bad time to be confused concerning reality.

However, and thirdly, scripture would indicate a focus on the joy set ahead and the rewards to follow. Christ says this in his letter to Smyrna:

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Hebrews 12:2 says:

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Fourthly, and in conjunction with number one, God is in sovereign control of all circumstances and he will not allow circumstances that he has not prepared us for. So if we are in that circumstance, he will most definitely enable us to glorify him in it. Point in case, when Jesus was arrested, he knew the disciples were not ready to be arrested with him. If they were arrested with him, it would have crushed their faith:

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”

By the way, this is also in spite of all our stupidity. After all that Christ did to keep them from being arrested, Peter draws his sword and cuts some guy’s ear off. Jesus rebukes him and miraculously sticks the guy’s ear back on his head. No matter how silly you are, you are still not in that circumstance if God doesn’t want you in it. Obviously, Peter wasn’t ready to be arrested with Jesus, he later denied him when it wasn’t even a matter of life and death and did so to some harmless teenage girl. God is in control.

Fifthly, I also believe in “God gives grace for the moment.” There is no doubt that we often look at a possible situation of facing death in opposition to denying Christ without the grace that we will have at that time. This creates fear and doubt, understandingly. We see a hint of this in Hebrews where the writer says to go to God in a “time of need”

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need [Hebrews 4:16].

Sixthly, Christ told the church at Smyrna to be “faithful” unto death. Christ also said if we are not faithful in the little things, neither will we be faithful in the larger issues of faith [Luke 16:10]. If we won’t suffer for Christ in regard to our testimony at work, it’s a sure bet we ain’t gunna die for him either. American culture is not a healthy environment in regard to cultivating a spirit of self sacrifice. I once knew a guy who was always getting into trouble at work because of his testimony for Christ. Finally, after loosing several jobs, he sought out a “biblical counselor.” The counselor told him that the problem wasn’t the people at work, the problem was his “heart.” Conflict equals sin on our part, according to this particular counselor and much to the delight of the man’s wife who wanted financial security. Never mind “those who live Godly in Christ WILL suffer persecution [2 Timothy 3;12]. The American church has a serious problem with the god of comfort. Precious few will even trade unity for truth at any level.

Therefore, and seventh, it is worthy to note that America is different from countries where persecution is rampant. If you take a stand, you will likely be persecuted by the world and shunned by the church. In countries like China, the church is closely knit together because of the severe persecution from the world. One should not discount all together that persecution of Christians does not exist in America, it’s just a different kind.

I close with a confession for what it’s worth. It may not even tie in that well. I greatly admire Dietrich Bonhoeffer and often quote him. I often hear his theology was unorthodox and that’s probably true. I am usually a real stickler about proper doctrine. What so strongly attracts me to him is his fearful testimony. During World War II, he left a promising ministry in the comfort of America to go back to his homeland in Germany. There, he was one of the few clergy who took a stand against the Nazi regime. He was hung naked with piano wire. Thought provoking indeed.

paul