©2003 Charles Darby
This is part three of a three part lesson. Please read the first two, if you haven't already. The first was Blood of The Lamb. The second was The Word of Their Testimony. These are the necessary steps to overcoming satan in all his attacks.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
This verse is also in Matthew 10:39 and 16:25, Luke 9:24 and 17:33. Not the same words but the same message. The early disciples understood this well. All of them put their life in jeopardy for the gospel. All, except John the beloved, gave their life. They were put to death because they refused to quit being a witness unto Jesus Christ. They tried to put John to death, but the Lord didn't let it happen. (Fox's book of martyrs.)
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
This world is not our home; we are just passing through. We, who are in Christ, have our citizenship in Heaven. Who would want to spend eternity in a place where pain, suffering, death, disease and all manner of ungodly things take place daily? If we love our life here we will loose it. Let’s stop trying to fit in, we cannot and still love the Lord.
Acts 15:25-26 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These men put their lives on the line for the furtherance of the gospel. To follow Jesus we must learn to deny ourselves. Many want to be blessed, not suffer because of the gospel. Sometimes suffering goes with it. The gospel told like it is will cause some to repent others to be very angry.
Acts 20:23-24 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Even though Paul was warned that his life would be in danger if he continued on his journey, he was ready to give his life for the gospel. He ministered to everyone that would listen. He was ready to give his life so others could hear the good news of the Gospel. Do we have that kind of love and commitment?
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Do we love the Lord and our brethren enough to lay down our lives for them? Maybe this is the reason the devil tries to keep discord alive in the church. How can we be ready to give our life for one another if we are not in agreement? Disciples of Jesus will have love for one another.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Please notice the crown of life is for those who are faithful unto death. Trials, troubles and storms of life come to us all but the question is, are we going to be faithful through it all? It’s not how we start out that counts, it’s how we finish. Every one of us started out wrong, before we received Christ. Are we going to finish this race still walking the walk and talking the talk?
There is a time coming, soon I believe, to all the earth when to confess a belief in Christ will put life in danger. This will be during the tribulation period. I believe the church that is in Christ will be gone at this time. I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. Those that remain, to go through the tribulation, will take a mark on their hand or head or they cannot buy or sell. If they take this mark they must renounce Christ, to do this will mean they cannot be saved. Some will be saved during this period but at a cost of their life. This is one of the reasons I urge everyone to get into Christ and be ready when He appears to receive His Bride.
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