Be faithful, even to the point of death,
and I will give you the crown of life
(Revelation 2:10)
Don’t read this if you are the least bit squeamish.
Ask yourself this question and then read the following true story:
Would I die for my faith?
In the 1500s in England, a Protestant poet named Anne Askew was confronted with that very question. She was imprisoned by the king’s authorities for refusing to deny her faith.
First, she was tortured on the rack, which slowly pulled her bones out of place until she fainted from the pain. But when she came to, she still refused to deny her faith and instead preached for several hours to her persecutors.
Then she was sentenced to death by burning. She had to be carried to the stake because the torture had left her unable to walk. She was given one last chance to deny Jesus and be set free. Her response?
“I did not come here to deny my Lord and Master.”
The fire was lit. Following Jesus’ example, Anne died praying for her murderers.
Our response should be no different. As the Bible says:
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1b-3)
Don’t let anything in this world scare you out of your faith. Fix your eyes on Jesus and trust him to bring you home.
Here are two simple questions to ponder today …
Are you ready to live for Jesus?
Are you ready to die for him?
The story has been told (true I believe!) about two soldiers on the front line in the heat of battle. Bullets are flying everywhere. One soldier is scared to the point of retreating. He looks at his mate and sees a man showing no fear at all as he battles with all his might. He asks him why he is not afraid, and his mate replies: “I figure I’m already dead.”
I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live… but I know I’m already dead because of Romans 5 and 6.
Here ia another question: “If I am not living for Jesus, who AM I living for?”
Thanks for sharing that, David — great perspective. Great question, too. Pretty much the key to the universe …
It is uplifting to read and hear of such faith stories. May we all be as stalwart and steadfast whatever our situation
Thanks for the comment, Mary. Uplifting indeed. May we all “be faithful, even to the point of death.”