Stand Firm

Human beings do not like pain and suffering.  We do just about anything to avoid them.  Yet, James tells us to "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 ESV)  The trials we face may cause us pain and suffering.  As Christians we are called to respond joyfully knowing that God will use them to bring us closer to being like Him.  

Jesus encourages us with these words,  "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)  As long as we are living in this world we will have troubles of many kinds. We can face them with confidence and courage remembering that our Savior has overcome the world.  

Consider the Savior that we follow.  He left the glory of heaven and was born on earth to a poor family.  He had to work hard.  Shortly after he began his ministry the persecution and troubles began.  He was abused.  He was falsely accused.  He was beaten.  He was cruelly put to death.  Why do we think that we should not have any troubles in this life?

Here is what Jesus said to the church in Smyrna  "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10 ESV)

This world is under the power of darkness.  We see evil gaining a foothold everywhere we look.  We are facing the very real possibility of suffering for our faith.  This is nothing new.  Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).  He will do everything possible to discourage and trip up God's people.

We often forget that we are aliens living in a land not our own.  Hebrews 11 lists many heroes of faith.  They recognized that they were aliens, strangers in a land not their own.  We are part of that company.

Christians in the first century faced severe persecution.  They were living in the Roman Empire.  The emperor Nero was a tremendously evil man.  He lived in open sin.  He is said to have used Christians as torches to light his gardens, burning them to death.  We can read of Christians who were thrown to the lions or forced to face the gladiators.  Yet, many were faithful unto death and we benefit from their faithfulness as they passed on the faith.  

Persecution of Christians is already very real in many parts of the world.  Many of us grew up in places where the society was mostly in favor of Christians and Christianity.  Sadly, that is changing.  We must be aware and strive for faithfulness.  We must encourage one another.  We must focus on the word.  The world will try to convince us that we can compromise.  Do not be deceived.

Consider the case of Leah Sharibu.  Leah was one of 110 girls kidnapped from her boarding school in northern Nigeria on February 19, 2018 by militant Muslims.  Five girls died during the abduction.  Leah was 14 years old at the time of her abduction.  In March of 2018 the kidnappers returned 104 girls but they kept Leah.  Why did they keep her?  Leah refused to convert to Islam.  Leah follows Jesus Christ.  From that time to this, Leah has never been released.  The abductors threaten to keep her as a "slave for life."  Leah could have been released along with the other 104 girls over four years ago, but she refused to deny her Lord.

Most of us are unlikely to face the challenges that Leah and others like her are facing.  Our challenges will come in more subtle ways.  We will be pressured to conform to the world's agenda.  We will face difficulty in the work place, at school and even in our homes and, sadly, churches.  We may face loss of income or alienation from former friends and family.  Be warned, standing up for the truth will not be popular.  What it will be is right.  Faithfulness will lead to the crown of life.

(As I write this many American Christians are feeling discouraged and perhaps even hopeless about the direction of our society.  We must encourage one another to be strong and faithful.)

(The photo of Leah was taken before her abduction.)