Devotion of Response

  • Hebrews 10:32-39 Response

    I’ve often wondered if I could withstand severe persecution and suffering of being identified as a follower of Jesus Christ, as so many faithful brothers and sisters have withstood in the early church and continue to withstand today.   They were subject to much ridicule and punishment for professing their faith in Christ, often losing the things they possessed, forfeiting their vocation and at times surrendering their life for professing their allegiance to the one True God and Savior.  Would I stand or crumble under such enormous pressures?

    Jonathan Falk, a missionary evangelist for the OPC, preached from Hebrews 10:32-39 on the suffering of the early church believers and the great cost associated with following Christ.  He also issued a sobering warning to the church in North America.   We are so “well off” living in a nation of great wealth and with so many resources available to us, we should be careful to not to take too much stock (or value) in the things we have.  The “health and wealth” gospel suggests that if we’re faithful to God, we will be blessed with abundant wealth and long-living healthy lives.  Although this type of theology may seem very heretical and easy to condemn, it’s difficult to remain unaffected as we are constantly surrounded by contrary and competing values, subtly distorting our perspective from one of giving thanks for the gracious blessings we’ve been given, to that of expecting such blessings.  This change, as subtle or blatant as it may be, has shifted our thinking from being “God” focused, to being “Me” focused.

    My first memorable experience of having a “good life” interrupted by mishap was when a close friend and neighbor lost his entire house to a fire when I was twelve years old.  Although nobody was hurt, it was devastating to see a family lose everything.  Dale and I walked thru the house several days after the fire, to see mostly ashes and an occasional blob of melted materials glued together that were completely unrecognizable.  The sadness I felt for Dale and his family really stuck with me as I couldn’t imagine how the family would rebuild and continue from such as loss, and questioning how this could happen to them.  Was God punishing them or was he just far removed from what happens to us.

    As I look back at this time, I’m thankful that God only presented me with an experience of an indirect loss due to a careless candle and not something related directly to persecution based on one’s faith.  I’m not sure how well I would have been prepared to handle that.

    We don’t understand why we experience persecution and loss, but as we consider the God who rescued us from death to deliver us to life, and who sacrificed his son on our behalf, we can serve him with joy and the trust that he is sovereign in all circumstances.   And we won’t understand or appreciate this apart from the sanctifying work he performs in us.  Our sinfulness not only causes our visions to be distorted, but outright makes us blind to His ways, as we respond in anger and questioning His character.  Fortunately we serve a God who is patient with us, and is constantly reaching out drawing us close to Him.

    I’m often encouraged by Romans 12:1 that speaks of the transformation by the renewing of our mind.  If not for the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in us, I could easily answer the question I mentioned above, “would I stand or crumble”.    Based upon my own strength and will, I’d crumble in a heartbeat, but with the Spirit transforming me daily, I not only stand strong against loss and suffering, I can rejoice in the future glory he promises me, as He extends my vision beyond this temporary world to a heavenly eternal world to come.

    ~ Scott Fitzgerald

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