[...] kind of Christianity–it is a faith that is grounded in the solid rock of Christ. Watch this powerful call to participation in the sufferings of Christ at Always [...]
This kind of disipleship is what we are going to have to humble ourselves and follow. I’ve started struggling with deeper walk a few years ago. I too can sense in my spirit the coming persecution spoken of our Lord Jesus in Matt 10 when He said we would be hated by all men for His names sake.
Our hope is always on the grace to be revealed at His coming, and living each day here able to give all in His work knowing who we have believed and that He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him against that day.
Where our treasure is, and wether we live in the kingdom of this age, or that which is to come, looking for the things that are seen which are perishing, or the things which are unseen which are eternal, these will determine where our heart is.
“Let the Torturers Come: Why Are Christians Confused?”
By
Pastor Gregory Allen Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved:
Atheism, in whatever form it approaches, cannot coexist with Christianity. The atheists know this. For this reason, they seek to stamp out even the residue of the redeemed (Dan.7:7, 19). Our witness will not stop them; it will in fact, draw them. Flies always come to blood, and we are under the cover of Christ’s. Our preaching will either save them or seduce them to come for us. The Gospel’s power to conquer invites them to kill its heralds; for they are fear-driven men (Rom.1:16, 17). In the economy of Heaven’s Kingdom, lambs are slated for slaughter. But when the Torturers come: the Bride of Christ Shall Rise.
So why are Christians confused?
There are always those within the camp that covet Jericho’s gold and the garments of Babylon (Josh.6:1-7:26). They cherish the accursed things, and kindle the anger of God. For this reason, the churches are weak. They cannot go forward in faith. In the end, His fury shall not fail. Until then, the chastisement of His hand is upon His own to bring them to perfection. (Heb.12). The Lord disciplines those He loves; unveiling His desire for His Bride to be, and the purity of faith to which He calls her. He shall not fail His own. But woe be unto the believer who will not let these miracles be done in the Zion of his heart (2Tim.2:7-13; Matt.11:20-26; 13:58; Mk.6:6; Rom.3:3;Mk.16:4).
When the atheists come to wear out the saints of the Most High, God raises the faithful’s level of resolve to meet the taunts of evil’s hour and the power of darkness (Lk.22:53; Dan.7:25; Rev.12:7-12; 6:9-11; Acts 4; 5:17-32;16:25). In the end, the torturers perpetuate what they seek to exterminate! They uphold and fortify the very thing they hate and hunt to seek and destroy. The seed of the Church has always been watered by the blood of the saints. Just as the world sought the life of Jesus and the grave could not hold Him, Christ lives so that now—all who seek His life shall find it (Prov.1:28; Jer.29:13; Amos 5:4). In the suffering of death lies the magnificence of victory.
One fully committed to Christ’s sufficiency is resolved to stand tall in the face of persecution. By the grace of the Persecuted One (Isa.53), we must process the tactical strategies in the great “FIGHT OF FAITH” (2Tim.4:5-8). We must determine the how, when, where and with what weapons we shall employ ourselves as we enter the fray.
Our first line of defense is the all-powerful Gospel of Christ (Rom.1:16,17): the power of God unto salvation; for therein is the Righteous of God revealed: from faith to faith. The just live by this. “The faith” delivered to us is to be defended by us: against all the forces of the enemy (Jude 3; 1Tim.3:15b). Them that suppress the Truth of God shall not be able to stand (Rom.1:18-32). What appears to be their victory in this world is only the illusion of deception: a mirage breathed into being by the doctrines of devils.
–Lk.21:24; 1Tim.4:1, 2
The canon of Scripture is fully charged and readied for firing at the Captain’s command. It shall not fail. It is the Sword which yields our Shield of Faith; the Belt of Truth grenades lobbed into the bunkers of enemy intelligence (Eph.6:10-18; 2Cor.6:1-7; 10:3-6; Rom.13:11, 12; 1Thess.5:5-8). Its power can change the heart and heal the soul: transforming enemies into holy ones who turn to fight the cause from which they came. The Helmet of Salvation covers our head; rendering sanctified minds uncluttered with doubt, purged from pettiness, awaiting assignments for circumstances turned for testimonies (Lk.21:8-19). We know we belong to the unseen Captain of our Salvation, whose drawn Sword is in His Hand (Josh.5:13-15; Rev.19:11-16). Our breastplate is His Righteousness and not our own. We strive to fortify our convictions (Rom.15:30, 31; Phil.1:27; Col.1:27-29; 2Tim.2:5; Heb.12:4). We pray to fortify our future and secure the power of God. “…We see Jesus;” and there is no confusion among Prisoners of Hope.
–Heb.2:9a; Jn.14:16-26Acts.7:55, 56
“For it became Him, for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of One: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them ‘brethren.’”
–Heb.2:10, 11
We “…desire a better country, that is, a heavenly [one]; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called [our] God: for He hath prepared for [us] a city” with foundations not built by hands, whose Builder and Maker is God”
–Heb.11:16, 10,
Soldiers join the ranks of this army because for them: there is no other choice. Having escaped the entanglements of this world and grown bored with ease in Zion, they are men under compulsion: compelled to fight for a cause more dear than the dread of death (Amos 6:1; 2Tim.2:3-5). Where then, is confusion? Courageous men fought in olden times for the glory of Rome and the deification of man. They fought and died in the glory of men; they live in Hell. Should not Christians fight for the cause of Christ: the glory of God, and live in Him? (2Tim.4:5-8; Jude 3). To this end we were born from above! For this cause, He caused us to come into this world. Where then, is confusion?
(Jn.3:3-8; 19:37).
We fight for a King whose dominion is an everlasting dominion; whose Kingdom is not of this realm, and therefore, shall never end (Dan.7:13, 14, 22, 27). Where then, is confusion? Our lives cannot be vanquished—only the body killed (Matt.10:28; Lk.12::4). Where then, is confusion? We take no thought for our life, but seek first His Kingdom and righteousness (Matt.6:25, 33). If we can only by faith, release the keeping of our souls to Him that loved us and gave Himself for us, no suffering in this world shall outweigh the eternal weight of glory bestowed in the world to come (1Jn.4:10; Rom.5:8; Tit.3:4-6; 1Pet.4:17-19; 2Cor.4:16-18). Where then, is confusion? In all these things, Christ alone is our sufficiency (2Cor.2:6, 16; 3:5; 9:8; 12:9).
“For this cause we faint not…though our outward man perish, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.” Our affliction is light and but for a moment. Where then, is confusion? Who is he that can stand against us? There is no power over us not given from above to assist us to purify the potency of our faith (Eph.6:11; Lk.10:19; Mk.16: 15-18). Everyone that is of the Truth, heareth His voice (Jn.19:33-38). Yet, the world stands in judgment against the Judge of all the Earth (Gen.18:25; 2Tim.4:1).
Those committed without reservation to the battle know they cannot die. For this reason, they are most formidable in the fight. Yet they fight: not because they’re committed to the battle, but because they’re committed to their King. They fight: not to receive a perishable crown, but an imperishable—that fadeth not away (1Cor.9:24-27; 1Pet.1:4; 5:4). They fight with the faith once delivered in their hearts. They run the race against time that all may hear. They shall finish their course; for in them, there is no confusion. Their eyes are focused on the prize of pleasing the One who enlisted them in the fight. For them…to live is Christ! –to die; only gain.
These are set for the defense of the Gospel, and with all boldness of hope, they are determined not to be ashamed (Lk.9:26; Rom.1:16; 5:5; 10:11; Phil.1:20; 2Thess.3:14; 2Tim.1:8, 12, 16; 2:15; Heb.2:11; 1Pet.4:16; 1Jn.2:28). Their resolve calls for Christ to be magnified in their body, be it by life or by death; it matters not (Phil.1:17-21). Their affections are set on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of the power of God. They have risen with Christ. Therefore, when the torturers come, they shall rise. They shall appear with Him in glory; for Christ: who is their life; can never die (Col.3:1-4).
For soldiers in the fight for Truth, death of self and body is but an introduction to a life that cannot be contained. Like Mary’s perfume of pure spikenard—the breaking of the vessel only releases the lavishness of its contents upon her Lord. The lovers of money mock and betray (Jn.12:6). With gladness they find company among the religiously unredeemed (Mk.14:10, 11; Rom.10:2-4). But to them that do know their God, no greater honor could err be spent. Yet, through the presentation of such sacrifices to Him: both prostitutes and worshippers come through the breaking, and there shall be a memorial to them both (Mk.14:3-9; Jn.12:1-9; Rom.12:1-3).
The heathen rage
and imagine vanity; the kings of the Earth plot their attacks. God shall have them in derision. He shall speak to them in His wrath and vex them with His sore displeasure. But let the wise be instructed: the King of kings will yet sit upon Zion’s holy hill. Therefore we kiss the Son and serve the Lord with fear and trembling; holding forth the Word of Life (Ps.2; Phil.2:12-16). “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Dan.11:32-35). They shall not pollute His sanctuary, but stand against them that do (Dan.11:31; Jn.2:13-17; Matt.21:12, 13).
So let the torturers come, and be not confused.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’”
–Rom.8:35, 36
“In all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I say the Truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.”
–Rom.8:37-9:1
Let the tortures come.
And when they arrive, preach unto them Jesus; preach unto them the Word (Acts.8:35; 2Tim.4:1, 2). Though it be “out of season:” preach unto them Jesus. Though they “…turn away their ears from the Truth” and give their hearts to fables (2Tim.4:4): preach Jesus with all the passion an power of a sanctified heart.
–1Cor.1:17-2:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions;
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry…be ready to be offered…fight the good fight of faith…finish the course…keep the faith: for a Crown of Righteous awaits all them that love His appearing.
–2Tim.4:5-8
Be thou therefore, neither confused nor ashamed
of the Testimony of our Lord. Be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God. For He hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling in accordance with His own purposes in the grace given us in Christ Jesus His Son. He did this before the world began; before it’s foundations we laid.
–2Tim.1:8-9
Be not thou therefore ashamed:
neither of those privileged to be “prisoners of hope, bound by our faith, chained to His love; locked up in grace.” As bondslaves, we’re free to leave, but we’ll never go. We’re “wondrously, willingly; freely: Prisoners of Hope.”
Let the Tortures Come
Endnotes:
1.Gaither Vocal Band: Prisoner of Hope, Lovin’ Life CD, Alexandria, IN.,2008.
2.In great humility my pen here, touches paper: not to taunt evil, but to express inspiration from the writings of Josef Tson and Richard Wurmbrand. They have pressed the thoughts of my heart beyond the death of self to the glory of martyrdom, and helped prepare me to be offered, if need be, to God, for the sake of my last testimony. It is shamefully easy to write of these things when one has never been forced to face them. I tremble to say so, for boldness untested can easily become arrogance. As such, I am humbly unqualified to write what I have written. But I believe God has laid it to my heart to underscore this standard for American Christians the world over, who might be tempted to refer to persecution as the taking away of food stamps, television and the comforts of ease in Zion. Should God so choose for us to seal our testimonies with our own blood, may we envision that call as a holy horizon on what may well be, our not so distant future. And if in the ages of eternity, God ever seeks to expand upon the eleventh chapter of Hebrews (the “Faith Hall of Fame”), I believe the names of Josef and Richard might surely appear. We die to live my brothers and sisters, so that in the Day of Accountability, our names might be listed among theirs. In that day, the Bride of Christ shall rise. Sola Deo Gloria (to God be the glory), Amen!
We live in a time when much of the visible church has the mentality of Job’s three friends. They say, “Job, if you were righteous, then you would not have any hardship or have to endure suffering.”
Suffering is something that reveals eternal glory. It is the mark of those who partake in Christ’s servanthood. Worldly gospels do not produce suffering servants, they produce robots who obey masters who burden their masses with heavy burdens, like the Pharisees did when Jesus confronted them. Pharisees are men who have an outwardly appearance of righteousness, but have no ability to genuinely walk according to the Spirit. Their religiousity is praised by the world and popular among those who walk according to the flesh. It is God’s will that we partake in his sufferings so that we too may pass through the fires of tribulations like silver is melted in a crucible and refined. Our sanctification is shadowed by trials and tribulations which mold us to the image of a servant. Without trials and tribulations, we are full of dross and unworthy of serving God. The perfecting of the saints is ongoing. God is a worker.. the great refiner who is incorruptible. If we endure in the day of adversity, then we please God. If we shrink back, compromise the truth, and conform to the image of the world, then we cannot please him.
The Emergents are profaning the word of God by making it conform to the image that the world will accept. That is idolatry.
11 Comments
December 23, 2008 at 7:13 pm
[...] kind of Christianity–it is a faith that is grounded in the solid rock of Christ. Watch this powerful call to participation in the sufferings of Christ at Always [...]
December 23, 2008 at 7:28 pm
[...] Schlueter links to Sam Guzman/Always Ready sharing this John Piper video (”You Must [...]
December 24, 2008 at 4:15 am
This kind of disipleship is what we are going to have to humble ourselves and follow. I’ve started struggling with deeper walk a few years ago. I too can sense in my spirit the coming persecution spoken of our Lord Jesus in Matt 10 when He said we would be hated by all men for His names sake.
December 24, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Our hope is always on the grace to be revealed at His coming, and living each day here able to give all in His work knowing who we have believed and that He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him against that day.
Where our treasure is, and wether we live in the kingdom of this age, or that which is to come, looking for the things that are seen which are perishing, or the things which are unseen which are eternal, these will determine where our heart is.
December 25, 2008 at 1:08 am
“Let the Torturers Come: Why Are Christians Confused?”
By
Pastor Gregory Allen Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved:
Atheism, in whatever form it approaches, cannot coexist with Christianity. The atheists know this. For this reason, they seek to stamp out even the residue of the redeemed (Dan.7:7, 19). Our witness will not stop them; it will in fact, draw them. Flies always come to blood, and we are under the cover of Christ’s. Our preaching will either save them or seduce them to come for us. The Gospel’s power to conquer invites them to kill its heralds; for they are fear-driven men (Rom.1:16, 17). In the economy of Heaven’s Kingdom, lambs are slated for slaughter. But when the Torturers come: the Bride of Christ Shall Rise.
So why are Christians confused?
There are always those within the camp that covet Jericho’s gold and the garments of Babylon (Josh.6:1-7:26). They cherish the accursed things, and kindle the anger of God. For this reason, the churches are weak. They cannot go forward in faith. In the end, His fury shall not fail. Until then, the chastisement of His hand is upon His own to bring them to perfection. (Heb.12). The Lord disciplines those He loves; unveiling His desire for His Bride to be, and the purity of faith to which He calls her. He shall not fail His own. But woe be unto the believer who will not let these miracles be done in the Zion of his heart (2Tim.2:7-13; Matt.11:20-26; 13:58; Mk.6:6; Rom.3:3;Mk.16:4).
When the atheists come to wear out the saints of the Most High, God raises the faithful’s level of resolve to meet the taunts of evil’s hour and the power of darkness (Lk.22:53; Dan.7:25; Rev.12:7-12; 6:9-11; Acts 4; 5:17-32;16:25). In the end, the torturers perpetuate what they seek to exterminate! They uphold and fortify the very thing they hate and hunt to seek and destroy. The seed of the Church has always been watered by the blood of the saints. Just as the world sought the life of Jesus and the grave could not hold Him, Christ lives so that now—all who seek His life shall find it (Prov.1:28; Jer.29:13; Amos 5:4). In the suffering of death lies the magnificence of victory.
One fully committed to Christ’s sufficiency is resolved to stand tall in the face of persecution. By the grace of the Persecuted One (Isa.53), we must process the tactical strategies in the great “FIGHT OF FAITH” (2Tim.4:5-8). We must determine the how, when, where and with what weapons we shall employ ourselves as we enter the fray.
Our first line of defense is the all-powerful Gospel of Christ (Rom.1:16,17): the power of God unto salvation; for therein is the Righteous of God revealed: from faith to faith. The just live by this. “The faith” delivered to us is to be defended by us: against all the forces of the enemy (Jude 3; 1Tim.3:15b). Them that suppress the Truth of God shall not be able to stand (Rom.1:18-32). What appears to be their victory in this world is only the illusion of deception: a mirage breathed into being by the doctrines of devils.
–Lk.21:24; 1Tim.4:1, 2
The canon of Scripture is fully charged and readied for firing at the Captain’s command. It shall not fail. It is the Sword which yields our Shield of Faith; the Belt of Truth grenades lobbed into the bunkers of enemy intelligence (Eph.6:10-18; 2Cor.6:1-7; 10:3-6; Rom.13:11, 12; 1Thess.5:5-8). Its power can change the heart and heal the soul: transforming enemies into holy ones who turn to fight the cause from which they came. The Helmet of Salvation covers our head; rendering sanctified minds uncluttered with doubt, purged from pettiness, awaiting assignments for circumstances turned for testimonies (Lk.21:8-19). We know we belong to the unseen Captain of our Salvation, whose drawn Sword is in His Hand (Josh.5:13-15; Rev.19:11-16). Our breastplate is His Righteousness and not our own. We strive to fortify our convictions (Rom.15:30, 31; Phil.1:27; Col.1:27-29; 2Tim.2:5; Heb.12:4). We pray to fortify our future and secure the power of God. “…We see Jesus;” and there is no confusion among Prisoners of Hope.
–Heb.2:9a; Jn.14:16-26Acts.7:55, 56
“For it became Him, for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of One: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them ‘brethren.’”
–Heb.2:10, 11
We “…desire a better country, that is, a heavenly [one]; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called [our] God: for He hath prepared for [us] a city” with foundations not built by hands, whose Builder and Maker is God”
–Heb.11:16, 10,
Soldiers join the ranks of this army because for them: there is no other choice. Having escaped the entanglements of this world and grown bored with ease in Zion, they are men under compulsion: compelled to fight for a cause more dear than the dread of death (Amos 6:1; 2Tim.2:3-5). Where then, is confusion? Courageous men fought in olden times for the glory of Rome and the deification of man. They fought and died in the glory of men; they live in Hell. Should not Christians fight for the cause of Christ: the glory of God, and live in Him? (2Tim.4:5-8; Jude 3). To this end we were born from above! For this cause, He caused us to come into this world. Where then, is confusion?
(Jn.3:3-8; 19:37).
We fight for a King whose dominion is an everlasting dominion; whose Kingdom is not of this realm, and therefore, shall never end (Dan.7:13, 14, 22, 27). Where then, is confusion? Our lives cannot be vanquished—only the body killed (Matt.10:28; Lk.12::4). Where then, is confusion? We take no thought for our life, but seek first His Kingdom and righteousness (Matt.6:25, 33). If we can only by faith, release the keeping of our souls to Him that loved us and gave Himself for us, no suffering in this world shall outweigh the eternal weight of glory bestowed in the world to come (1Jn.4:10; Rom.5:8; Tit.3:4-6; 1Pet.4:17-19; 2Cor.4:16-18). Where then, is confusion? In all these things, Christ alone is our sufficiency (2Cor.2:6, 16; 3:5; 9:8; 12:9).
“For this cause we faint not…though our outward man perish, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.” Our affliction is light and but for a moment. Where then, is confusion? Who is he that can stand against us? There is no power over us not given from above to assist us to purify the potency of our faith (Eph.6:11; Lk.10:19; Mk.16: 15-18). Everyone that is of the Truth, heareth His voice (Jn.19:33-38). Yet, the world stands in judgment against the Judge of all the Earth (Gen.18:25; 2Tim.4:1).
Those committed without reservation to the battle know they cannot die. For this reason, they are most formidable in the fight. Yet they fight: not because they’re committed to the battle, but because they’re committed to their King. They fight: not to receive a perishable crown, but an imperishable—that fadeth not away (1Cor.9:24-27; 1Pet.1:4; 5:4). They fight with the faith once delivered in their hearts. They run the race against time that all may hear. They shall finish their course; for in them, there is no confusion. Their eyes are focused on the prize of pleasing the One who enlisted them in the fight. For them…to live is Christ! –to die; only gain.
These are set for the defense of the Gospel, and with all boldness of hope, they are determined not to be ashamed (Lk.9:26; Rom.1:16; 5:5; 10:11; Phil.1:20; 2Thess.3:14; 2Tim.1:8, 12, 16; 2:15; Heb.2:11; 1Pet.4:16; 1Jn.2:28). Their resolve calls for Christ to be magnified in their body, be it by life or by death; it matters not (Phil.1:17-21). Their affections are set on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of the power of God. They have risen with Christ. Therefore, when the torturers come, they shall rise. They shall appear with Him in glory; for Christ: who is their life; can never die (Col.3:1-4).
For soldiers in the fight for Truth, death of self and body is but an introduction to a life that cannot be contained. Like Mary’s perfume of pure spikenard—the breaking of the vessel only releases the lavishness of its contents upon her Lord. The lovers of money mock and betray (Jn.12:6). With gladness they find company among the religiously unredeemed (Mk.14:10, 11; Rom.10:2-4). But to them that do know their God, no greater honor could err be spent. Yet, through the presentation of such sacrifices to Him: both prostitutes and worshippers come through the breaking, and there shall be a memorial to them both (Mk.14:3-9; Jn.12:1-9; Rom.12:1-3).
The heathen rage
and imagine vanity; the kings of the Earth plot their attacks. God shall have them in derision. He shall speak to them in His wrath and vex them with His sore displeasure. But let the wise be instructed: the King of kings will yet sit upon Zion’s holy hill. Therefore we kiss the Son and serve the Lord with fear and trembling; holding forth the Word of Life (Ps.2; Phil.2:12-16). “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Dan.11:32-35). They shall not pollute His sanctuary, but stand against them that do (Dan.11:31; Jn.2:13-17; Matt.21:12, 13).
So let the torturers come, and be not confused.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’”
–Rom.8:35, 36
“In all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I say the Truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.”
–Rom.8:37-9:1
Let the tortures come.
And when they arrive, preach unto them Jesus; preach unto them the Word (Acts.8:35; 2Tim.4:1, 2). Though it be “out of season:” preach unto them Jesus. Though they “…turn away their ears from the Truth” and give their hearts to fables (2Tim.4:4): preach Jesus with all the passion an power of a sanctified heart.
–1Cor.1:17-2:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions;
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry…be ready to be offered…fight the good fight of faith…finish the course…keep the faith: for a Crown of Righteous awaits all them that love His appearing.
–2Tim.4:5-8
Be thou therefore, neither confused nor ashamed
of the Testimony of our Lord. Be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God. For He hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling in accordance with His own purposes in the grace given us in Christ Jesus His Son. He did this before the world began; before it’s foundations we laid.
–2Tim.1:8-9
Be not thou therefore ashamed:
neither of those privileged to be “prisoners of hope, bound by our faith, chained to His love; locked up in grace.” As bondslaves, we’re free to leave, but we’ll never go. We’re “wondrously, willingly; freely: Prisoners of Hope.”
Let the Tortures Come
Endnotes:
1.Gaither Vocal Band: Prisoner of Hope, Lovin’ Life CD, Alexandria, IN.,2008.
2.In great humility my pen here, touches paper: not to taunt evil, but to express inspiration from the writings of Josef Tson and Richard Wurmbrand. They have pressed the thoughts of my heart beyond the death of self to the glory of martyrdom, and helped prepare me to be offered, if need be, to God, for the sake of my last testimony. It is shamefully easy to write of these things when one has never been forced to face them. I tremble to say so, for boldness untested can easily become arrogance. As such, I am humbly unqualified to write what I have written. But I believe God has laid it to my heart to underscore this standard for American Christians the world over, who might be tempted to refer to persecution as the taking away of food stamps, television and the comforts of ease in Zion. Should God so choose for us to seal our testimonies with our own blood, may we envision that call as a holy horizon on what may well be, our not so distant future. And if in the ages of eternity, God ever seeks to expand upon the eleventh chapter of Hebrews (the “Faith Hall of Fame”), I believe the names of Josef and Richard might surely appear. We die to live my brothers and sisters, so that in the Day of Accountability, our names might be listed among theirs. In that day, the Bride of Christ shall rise. Sola Deo Gloria (to God be the glory), Amen!
December 25, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Did he just say that Jesus took the image of the serpent? I would never have expected that from him. Listen to the first 20 seconds.
Surely he didn’t mean that. Maybe I misunderstood.
December 25, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Josh,
He said “servant”, not “serpent.” He was referring to Philippians 2:7.
December 25, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Phew! Glad that was my own misunderstanding.
December 27, 2008 at 2:13 am
Isn’t that the music from the Michael Clayton soundtrack? Really sounds like it. Haunting.
December 29, 2008 at 10:56 pm
[...] Here’s a great video sermon clip from John Piper called You Must Suffer. It’s an excellent clip and very thought [...]
December 30, 2008 at 12:16 am
We live in a time when much of the visible church has the mentality of Job’s three friends. They say, “Job, if you were righteous, then you would not have any hardship or have to endure suffering.”
Suffering is something that reveals eternal glory. It is the mark of those who partake in Christ’s servanthood. Worldly gospels do not produce suffering servants, they produce robots who obey masters who burden their masses with heavy burdens, like the Pharisees did when Jesus confronted them. Pharisees are men who have an outwardly appearance of righteousness, but have no ability to genuinely walk according to the Spirit. Their religiousity is praised by the world and popular among those who walk according to the flesh. It is God’s will that we partake in his sufferings so that we too may pass through the fires of tribulations like silver is melted in a crucible and refined. Our sanctification is shadowed by trials and tribulations which mold us to the image of a servant. Without trials and tribulations, we are full of dross and unworthy of serving God. The perfecting of the saints is ongoing. God is a worker.. the great refiner who is incorruptible. If we endure in the day of adversity, then we please God. If we shrink back, compromise the truth, and conform to the image of the world, then we cannot please him.
The Emergents are profaning the word of God by making it conform to the image that the world will accept. That is idolatry.