MY COMMITMENT AS A BELIEVER

[Tikvah]

I have several online friends in Nigeria; and each time another incident against Christians is reported, I silently pray for their ministries and continued well-being. Then I attempt to contact them to see whether they have been involved in the latest outbreaks of violence. And I think.

As reports of persecution and death of Christians worldwide increase in number, I wonder, "How long until this becomes reality in America as well?" Think it can't happen here? So did most Germans think it couldn't happen in Nazi Germany. We often like to "claim the promises" we find in the Bible; and so we should. But do you know that we as Believers have been promised persecution for following Messiah, and especially immediately prior to Yeshua's return? How far are we prepared to go to follow Messiah? Torture? Death? The tortures or deaths of loved ones before our very eyes? What about rejection by our friends and family for what we believe? That happens even now. Are we prepared to forgive friends and family members if they turn us in to civil authorities for what we believe when being a Believer becomes illegal? Will we continue to stand for Messiah as long as we have breath?

Some time ago, I read the following piece and saved it, referring to it often. Unfortunately, the name of the author is unknown. I pray his message reflects my true heart, both now and until I'm called Home.

My Commitment as a Christian

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me--my banner will be clear!

Written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.

It was discovered by those who entered his home after he was martyred.

[winsomebulldog]

Love this! I've read it before and posted it in our weekly church bulletin as well. Here's praying we will all be this faithful should we come to that place where we are forced to choose between our lives (or the lives of those we love) and our faith in Jesus Christ.

[Fez]

Amen!

It is an extremely powerful piece of writing. If we all held fast to what it aspires to, the world would be a vastly different place!

[nebula]

Beautiful.

Eph 2:10 MKJV

(10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

Awesome response!