For the last few months there has been something pretty serious I can't stop thinking about. It's a question that at some point we as Christians may have to answer. The early Christians had too, as many Christians in foreign lands and some here in the U.S. have had too. The question is: Would you die for what you believe in? Actually God is asking...Would you die for ME?? That's a hard question to answer.
When I first asked myself that question I was driving down the road praying. I don't know what I was praying about but I remember saying, "I would die for you." Then the realization of what I had said hit me. When I really stopped and thought about it I had to wonder if I really would or if I was just "caught up in the moment", so to speak. Since then that question has went over and over in my mind. God keeps asking, "Would you die for me?"
Well...you have to think about all He has done for us. The biggest thing...He sent His son to die on the cross for us. He took all of our sins upon Himself. He was made fun of, beaten, tortured and eventually hung on a cross so that we could "live" and someday go to Heaven to be with Him forever. Such a selfless act. That was "Extreme Love". Who else would die for you, show that kind of love for you? Your spouse or even your family might, but that's all they could do. Just die. Look at all Jesus has done for you since dying on that cross. Everyday He keeps you safe. He takes care of you like no one else ever could. When you've been sick...He has been there to see you through it. For many of us, He has healed us of diseases. He keeps us safe when trouble comes our way. He comforts us when we lose a loved one. He brings food when you don't have money to buy it for yourself. He gives you Christian friends to help you through hard times when He knows you aren't strong enough to get through on your own. He does so many things for each of us that it is impossible to list everything. But...above all else, He loves us. If He never did any of those things except die for us, that would be all that mattered. His act of dying was His major act of love.
Someday you may have to answer the question..."Would you die for Me?" It might not be a simple yes or no, or even...I don't know. You might have to make the choice. Many Christians before us have had to do just that. Many have been killed just because they were Christians. What is your faith really like? Do you really believe what you say you do? Are you close enough to Him, does He mean more to you than anything else, even your own life, to make the right choice if you are asked too? We can only pray that we, or the people we care about, never have to answer that question.
But if you do just remember what He tells us in scripture...
Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you."
Isaiah 43:2-3a When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel. Your SAVIOR.
When I first asked myself that question I was driving down the road praying. I don't know what I was praying about but I remember saying, "I would die for you." Then the realization of what I had said hit me. When I really stopped and thought about it I had to wonder if I really would or if I was just "caught up in the moment", so to speak. Since then that question has went over and over in my mind. God keeps asking, "Would you die for me?"
Well...you have to think about all He has done for us. The biggest thing...He sent His son to die on the cross for us. He took all of our sins upon Himself. He was made fun of, beaten, tortured and eventually hung on a cross so that we could "live" and someday go to Heaven to be with Him forever. Such a selfless act. That was "Extreme Love". Who else would die for you, show that kind of love for you? Your spouse or even your family might, but that's all they could do. Just die. Look at all Jesus has done for you since dying on that cross. Everyday He keeps you safe. He takes care of you like no one else ever could. When you've been sick...He has been there to see you through it. For many of us, He has healed us of diseases. He keeps us safe when trouble comes our way. He comforts us when we lose a loved one. He brings food when you don't have money to buy it for yourself. He gives you Christian friends to help you through hard times when He knows you aren't strong enough to get through on your own. He does so many things for each of us that it is impossible to list everything. But...above all else, He loves us. If He never did any of those things except die for us, that would be all that mattered. His act of dying was His major act of love.
Someday you may have to answer the question..."Would you die for Me?" It might not be a simple yes or no, or even...I don't know. You might have to make the choice. Many Christians before us have had to do just that. Many have been killed just because they were Christians. What is your faith really like? Do you really believe what you say you do? Are you close enough to Him, does He mean more to you than anything else, even your own life, to make the right choice if you are asked too? We can only pray that we, or the people we care about, never have to answer that question.
But if you do just remember what He tells us in scripture...
Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you."
Isaiah 43:2-3a When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel. Your SAVIOR.
Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
After you think about that question for awhile, there's another you might want to ask yourself. One that has more meaning for you right now...Are you "really" willing to live for Him today?? If you are, you can have a profound impact on the world around you. Boldly live out your faith so that the words of truth you speak to others will get into their minds and hearts and they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Some will get mad and turn away. But others will come to know Him. That is what we are here for.
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.
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