Is there something you could be threatened with that would cause you to recant (turn away from) your faith in Jesus Christ? Loss of job, home, ability to work and earn a living, health, friends, social standing, or your life? Where would you draw the line? Would you be willing to give up all these things rather than give up your faith in Jesus Christ?
This is the ultimate test isn't it. Yet, this is what Jesus Christ expects of His people should that test be presented to them. It was something the church at Smyrna would have to endure. Rev. 2:8-11 Yet, it was not only expected of them, but is expected of all God's people. Those of us in North America do not fully comprehend this. We may mouth the words, but I do not believe we can truly relate to what our brothers and sisters are enduring in other lands.
Sermon audio news reported that a woman was executed for distributing the Bible in North Korea. Would you be willing to die for passing the Bible out? Those who endure persecution to death for Christ's sake receive the crown of life rather than being faced with the second death.
Sometimes, to spur us on, God speaks about the worse punishment to help His people measure the punishment that this world threatens with. The punishment this world threatens with is the first death. The punishment God promises to those who do not confess Christ is the second death. Jesus Himself says He will deny those before His Father who denied Him before men.
Do not deny Him, but confess Him to the world regardless of the cost in this life. The prize of eternal life is worth more than anything that this world has to offer, including your own life.
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