WE USED TO HAVE a faith worth dying for. All of the NT apostles save one, the Apostle John, were martyred for their faith in Jesus and how that faith was displayed. They were not closet Christians or social justice warriors like many today. No, these were “I’m going to the cross with my Savior” Christians. These were, “I have no life of my own outside of Jesus” Christians. These men turned the world upside down. They preached about hell, God’s wrath and the sins of man that brought forth a Savior crucified to redeem mankind to the Father. They cast out demons and cast down demonic strongholds, and were considered by most to be the scum of the earth.
Today we experience just a little persecution and we falter. Somebody doesn’t like you and you bow down to their opinion. Your fear of man and his rejection is greater than your fear of the Lord. People pleasing is the calling card of today’s Christian and many worship the false god of love Eros. It brings to mind the story of Jeremiah. A number of men from Jeremiah’s hometown of Anathoth plotted against him. They wanted him killed because he had remained faithful to the Lord and exposed their sins. Jeremiah got a little “whiny” to God. Why was he still suffering and being persecuted while the wicked was allowed to continue their wickedness? God answered him with a rebuke,
“[But the Lord rebukes Jeremiah’s impatience, saying] If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if [you take to flight] in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do [when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions] in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5
What Jeremiah endured at the hands of the men in Anathoth was nothing compared to the persecution yet to come. We are in perilous times and great deception is taking place. Many have left the faith. God is still saying this to us today! If you cannot endure hardship when things are going well, what are you going to do when the REAL persecution comes?
You think you’re being persecuted for your faith now? Just wait. The noose is tightening. During these days, the Lord is telling us to prepare ourselves with faith and courage to face the trials ahead. Church, it’s time to go deeper. Repent of your lack luster faith and complacency. Stay grounded in His Word and flee all manner of sin. Stay hungry for His presence. Seek His face evermore. Trust Him to hold back the waters. Hold on to His hand and never let go. Preach the truth. He is returning for a pure and holy Bride, not a prostitute.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
