WHAT'S THE WORTH OF YOUR CHRISTIANITY?
"Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. THEY WERE TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground". - Hebrews 11:36-38 (NLT)
The Bible is already written; nothing can be added thereto, nothing can be subtracted therefrom! The eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews is very often called "God's Hall of Fame". It contains the names of the 'giants of God', 'giants of faith', the "cloud of witnesses" to the life of faith that God has called us to live (Hebrews 12:1). I have often asked those that hear me preach, saying: that assuming the Bible were to be re-written in our time, would your name appear in "God's hall of fame" or rather, in God's hall of shame?
Though the Bible cannot be re-written in our time so as to have our names mentioned in "God's hall of fame", yet, God has other Books that are kept relating to us. The one is the Book of life containing the names of the children of faith and the other are Books wherein are recorded the ungodly deeds of men for which they (the dead) are judged.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." - Revelation 20:12 (KJV).
This, to me, is very fearsome and frightening because it serves to remind us that we are constantly being watched by God and that He is taking record of our activities in life.
The Christian faith from inception is one whose adherents have been hated, oppressed, mistreated and hunted down by the world. What was done to them (from the Old Testament to the New Testament times) is nothing but the spillover upon them of the world's hatred for God and what He stands for! Jesus told us clearly that the world would hate us for His sake (LK 6:22, 21:17; Matt 10:22, 24:9; MK 13:13). In another place He said "lf the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you" (Jn 15:18).
If your kind of Christianity condones the world and its deeds, you will be tolerated by it. Jesus told His brethren saying: "The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because l testify of it, that the works thereof are evil" (Jn 7:7).
There is no way you'll be a genuine Christian that your stance will not attract the irk of the enemies of the Cross! Your position in Christ simply annoys and irritates them! When you see this happen, it shows that you're right on track! Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 1:28 that we should be "... in nothing terrified by (our) adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, BUT TO ( US ) OF SALVATION and that of God " (Emphasis, mine).
Friend, the divine interpretation for their hatred and attacks on you as God's child is that 'YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD'! (Hebrews 11;38). What a testimony! Bravo! So therefore, be determined to live to God's pleasure, because you dwell in a world that is completely sold out to satan and is by its principles and standards contrary to God. If there's no marked difference between your life and that of the world, then, you can be sure that you're on the wrong track. As a pilgrim and a stranger that you are, stand firm therefore unto the end and don't live your life in conformity to the world but be transformed daily by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2).
May Heaven's testimony about your life be like the testimony of saints of old, that 'YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD'! (Hebrews 11;38).
Have a blessed Sunday service.
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I live in a world that is hostile to you and all that you stand for. I receive grace to live to your pleasure, in Jesus' mighty name.