Would you be willing to be tortured and die for your faith in Jesus Christ? Would you renounce your faith if someone threatened to kill a loved one? Living in the United States of America, these questions seem obsolete. However, are you prepared to face these prospects if they ever arise? Do you have a plan to remain faithful to Jesus no matter the cost?
Jesus Knew the Cost of Following Him
Christ’s life reveals that he knew what it might cost us to follow him on this earth. Jesus endured all the temptations and trials we can’t imagine living during the Roman rule to help us realize that he knows what it means to be human. He paid the highest cost of all to assure us that his love and promise of eternal life was true.
Despite our imperfect human condition, Jesus still chose to come down and die for us to make sure that we could live with him forever. If anyone chooses to follow Jesus, they must understand that their faith could cost them everything. But Jesus came to give us a new life in him on earth and to greet us as we step into eternity when our body dies. Jesus cared most about our eternity. This kind of love and sacrifice from the perfect King Jesus helps me keep my focus on his love and kingdom.
The Roots of My Determination to Stay Faithful
As a young girl, I grew up in Iran. I understood what it meant to live in fear and hide my identity to stay safe. After coming to America, I realized how shielded people were. I felt a new freedom to go to church and sing about Jesus openly. With age, I have come to understand the danger my family was in for their faith and how God protected us.
The faithfulness of God and the unconditional love of Jesus I’ve experienced through the trauma and abuse I have faced deserve nothing less than my total allegiance and life if demanded. Everything I have been through with Jesus has only increased my faith, confidence, and determination to live my life in service to my Lord, Savior, and Creator.
Jesus told us before he ascended to heaven that we would have trials, tests, and challenges, but with him, we can overcome. If Jesus had to endure these challenges on earth, so will we. The question is, do we choose to work with Jesus and let his strength flow through us in our weakness, or do we try to do things in our own imperfect knowledge and power?
Jesus Can Empower Us to Be Faithful
In these uncertain times, many believers do not have deep roots or a firm foundation of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They go to church, read a few verses, or maybe even go to a Bible study, but they may not realize it is their responsibility to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ every day. When you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, you must learn about his heart, character, blessings, promises, warnings, corrections, and how to defend yourself against the schemes of the enemy.
Our salvation makes us children of God and enemies to the world’s ruler and his sinful ways. We are in a spiritual battle from the moment we accept salvation, and we must be prepared. We must arm ourselves with the truth, wisdom, and armor of God. We must learn how to work with the Holy Spirit and Jesus to let them guide and empower us to love and live like Jesus.
I would like to share one of the exercises I use to let God’s word teach me to stay focused and faithful to Him. I use this process if I need to work on a thought or behavior that doesn’t align with Christ or to listen to God’s revelation on a topic or passage that touches my heart. I begin by writing the verses down in the first person; see the words underlined. Next, I separate each section or verse and ask God to help me see and hear what I need from Him.
As I reread the words, section, or verse, I write down what I feel in my heart or hear from my spirit. It’s amazing how God will talk to you through His living word. Last, I look for another verse that confirms my thoughts. Here is an example of the exercise that I pray will help you experience God and Jesus in a whole new way.
But you, Darla, are a woman of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. (1 Tim. 6:11-12, NLT) 1. I am a woman of God. God help me see what that means to be a woman of God. Thank you for adopting me into your family when I felt abandoned and alone. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay for my sins and to make it possible for me to be yours. Help me think, speak and act in ways that please and glorify you.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26, NLT)
2. Run from Evil. Jesus, you have told me that light and darkness can’t live in the same place. You have also told me that we can’t serve two masters. I have chosen you, and I ask you to help me see and flee from any of the enemy’s evil schemes. Make evil so apparent that I know to turn away. I thank you that I do not have to fear but be wise and turn away.
Turn your back on evil, work for the good and don't quit. God loves this kind of thing, never turns away from his friends. (Psa. 37:27-28, MSG) 3. Jesus, thank you for coming to live inside my heart and bringing the Holy Spirit. With you in me, help me pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness, regardless of what the world says or does to me.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13, NIV)
4. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Jesus, thank you for showing me what true unconditional love is and that you have given me a guide through the example of your life. Before experiencing your perfect love, I didn’t understand the depth or vastness. Lord, thank you for fighting and overcoming all the forces of sin, death, and evil for me. I will honor your love with my love and life.
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colo. 1:11-12, NIV)
5. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared publicly. Lord, be my strength when I am weak. Help me overcome any trial that tests my faith. Help me hold tight to you until my body dies and I run into your arms in glory forever!
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58, NIV)
As Christ’s disciples, we are always in training. If we stop growing, we are dying. Let me know how this exercise works for you.
