Where Bible Study Makes A Difference

Am I Willing and Ready To Die?

And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver [him] into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 21:10-13)

Main Idea:

The Christian should boldly give all his life, even to death, for the faithful ministry of Jesus the Christ, our Lord.

Discussion:

What would be your reaction if you were sitting in your office, and the FBI busted through calling for all Christians to stand up and be murdered for their Christ? Would you be willing and ready to suffer death for the name of your Lord? Why think about something that may or may not happen? Well, the reality is as a Christian, I am a doulos (slave) to my LORD JESUS CHRIST. My Christ should be at the forefront of my thinking. I claim to want to be a Christian, should I not be willing and ready to die for His ministry?

The fear is I have become too comfortable being internet talker, and not the public enemy number one. Real Christians sound like Christians and live like them; one’s you see in the bible from the 1st Century.

So when Paul says he was ready to be bound and die for the Lord Jesus Christ, he was. That’s exactly how a Christian sounds. This is bold talk; better yet let me put it like this: This is bold Christian walk. A Christ-like attitude must be one of no fear of death and willingness to go the full measure for Christ, in His ministry. Those are Christians I myself am encouraged by in God’s Word. This boldness is exactly what I feel is needed within my Christian walk. The bible says:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

Listen to Daniel’s companions as they stand boldly for the Lord, I desire that same boldness for Christ. I can exegete many biblical texts and learn much of Christ; I must be willing to die for Him. That’s were I am at, so I think greatly will I die for my LORD? Am I willing to go that far for Christ? I don’t want to be portraying like I am a tough guy on the blog/internet, but a wimp in public. This question needs answering, this makes my Christianity real. If you’re thinking this way, praise God, be open and real about who you are to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is so vital that we think through our Christianity. It matters not what every big time preacher is saying; only what am I doing for the Lord Jesus Christ? I try to avoid the trap of thinking I am okay because I listen to a certain preacher or am affiliated with a certain church; my loyalty is to Christ Jesus the Lord alone. And so should I not die for Him?

Unashamed of the Gospel, well equipped for the work God has called, I must examine whether I am walking worthy of what He has called me to. I conclude with what the scriptures say; and I beseech you to do the same. The Spirit of God equips us and prepares the true believer for this. And then we can say with such joy what’s said below:

For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me. (Philippians 1:21-30)

God bless my beloved, be ready and willing to die!!!!