Through the centuries, Christians have been burned at the stake, sawed in two, and crucified. They have been shot, fed to lions, and forced to choose between their faith and their freedom. Many were gassed along with the Jews for harboring their Jewish neighbors. These were people who were committed to their faith.
But according to Voice of the Martyrs, “More men and women are being persecuted today for Jesus than at any other time in human history. Millions of Christians face intense persecution and risk their lives for the sake of the Gospel.”
The Bible teaches that in the last days, evil, including every kind of persecution will continue to grow. But here in the US, we often feel somewhat insulated from all this. Most of us, probably, can’t imagine beheadings or people being burned alive here. But what if we were faced with the choice to stand up or betray Christ in the face of intense persecution? Would we be as committed to our faith as other believers around the world or as Christians in times past?
And I wonder, are we as committed to our faith as many of our Muslim neighbors are to theirs?
Welcome, to “God’s Word Day by Day.”
I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here. This year I’ve added a couple of new features. First, check out the “Free Resources” tab at the top. You’ll find a downloadable, printable PDF with “Going Deeper Study Questions” for each day’s post. And … this year you’ll find the daily “Bible in a Year” posts on YouTube. The daily emails now have a link to both these Soul Survival posts and the YouTube videos. I hope you’ll sign up. (If you already receive them, no need to sign up again.)
Today’s Readings:
Leviticus 11 & 12
Psalm 25.8-15
Proverbs 10.1-3
Mark 2.1-28
Are We as Committed to Our Faith as Our Muslim Neighbors?
Leviticus 11 & 12:
Little Things & Big Things
Chapter 11 lists all the dietary restrictions God set for Israel under the Levitical Law. They were being taught to obey God in the daily details of life. That’s a tremendous truth for us, as well.
In Luke 16.10 Jesus was talking about how we use our resources, but the principle is the same. He said:
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
If we’re not faithful in the little details of life, we won’t be faithful in the big things.
The dietary laws, also, served to set them apart from the world around them. It made them culturally distinct. What sets you and me apart from those around us? What should set us apart?
Is it that we attend church on Sundays? I know many unbelievers who attend church every Sunday. They check off that religious box on their to-do list and think they are good to go for the rest of the week.
Is it that we don’t party or run around? I know people in cults who don’t drink or live immoral lives.
Is it because we call ourselves Christians, own a Bible, join a church, or prayed a prayer once? Are those the things that God wants to set us apart?
What Should Set Us Apart
Jesus said:
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn. 13.34-35).
And in Matthew 7.16 He said:
You will know them by their fruits.
They should know us by our fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) and by our love for one another.
Paul said Christians are, also, to:
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2.14-15).
I have to admit there are times when I’m not shining like I should.
Cultural Invasion
Some years ago a read a book by Dr. David Jeremiah entitled What in the World is Going On? In it, he quoted an Iraqi Christian by the name of George Sada. Mr. Sada explained the Muslim belief that “Allah has commanded them to conquer the nations of the world both by cultural invasion and by the sword.”
Did you get that phrase “cultural invasion”? He went on, “In some cases, this means moving thousands of Muslim families into a foreign land—by building mosques and changing the culture from the inside out, and by refusing to assimilate or adopt the beliefs or values of that nation—to conquer the land for Islam. This is an invidious doctrine, but it’s … being carried out in some places today by followers of this type of Islam.”
Make no mistake, radical Islamists are committed to the complete conquest of the West by any means, including the sword and sheer terror, as we well know. But one of the ways Muslims are purposefully working is through their cultural identity and by forcing it on others. This has already happened in many places in Europe and is gradually happening in schools and communities here, as well.
And while we, too, are called to be culturally different, we prefer to blend in with everyone else. Why aren’t we just as committed to our faith? It’s not that we should force our beliefs on others, but we should be living in such a way that others see the difference and want to be like us.
Are We as Committed to Our Faith?
The rise in anti-Israel sentiment in our nations demonstrates much of the success of those followers of Islam who are working to conquer the land by cultural invasion. But there are still those who are willing to kill and be killed for what they believe, claiming their God demands it. Yet, we serve a God who was willing to die Himself so that we might live for Him.
And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf (2 Cor. 5.15).
Are we as committed to our faith and to changing our world as our Muslim neighbors? Are we as committed to loving those around us and sharing the true gospel as some are to doing evil?
Someone posed the question, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Would there be? And would you be willing to stand for Christ if threatened with imprisonment, persecution, or death? Would I be?
Are We Committed to Our Faith Every Day?
Before we answer that question, let’s ask ourselves, “Are we faithful in the ‘little things‘?” Are we faithful to stand up for unborn babies when the subject of abortion comes up outside the church? When talking about family, are we willing to say, “I’m a stay-at-home mom because I believe it’s what God has called me to do?” Do we lovingly speak the truth when a friend asks for our approval for unrighteous behavior? Do our everyday actions around our friends, neighbors, and co-workers demonstrate that we are committed to our faith?
If we are not faithful today, it’s very unlikely we will be faithful tomorrow if or when more difficult times come.
We serve the One True God so let’s make a fresh commitment to be the salt and light that God has called us to be. The world needs what only Christ can give.
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 25.8-15:
Driving Through a Strange City
The need for humility and dependence on God are emphasized throughout the Scriptures.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net (v. 15).
Maybe it’s because I’m directionally challenged, but as I meditated on that verse, I thought about what it’s like to follow someone through a strange city. You don’t take your eyes off of them because they know where they’re going and you don’t.
God knows the end from the beginning. He knows the plans He has for us. He is working out even the tests and trials we face for our good (Rom. 8.28-29). If we’ll keep our eyes on Him instead of looking around at the circumstances, He’ll keep us from the enemy’s net. So, let’s not lose sight of Him.
Proverbs 10.1-3:
The Desire of the Wicked
The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked (v. 3).
We sometimes feel like the wicked are prospering without any consequence, but verse 3 tells us that in God’s timing “the desire of the wicked” will be cast away. We need to stay focused on doing what God has shown us and allow Him to deal with the wickedness of others.
Mark 2.1-28:
The Danger of Religious Traditions
In this passage, we continue to see Jesus challenging the religious traditions of the Scribes and Pharisees (Mk. 2.23-28). We cannot forget that denominational preferences and our religious traditions are not on par with God’s Word and sometimes stand in opposition to it. When there is any doubt, we must go back to His Word.
He Calls the Undeserving
We also see Him calling Levi, the tax collector (Mk. 2.14), better known as Matthew, who wrote the Gospel we just finished reading.
It should give us great hope that Jesus called a tax collector to be one of His 12 disciples. Tax collectors were hated by their fellow Jews because they co-operated with the Roman government and then padded their own pockets by collecting even more than the Romans required. God loves to save and use those who least deserve it when we repent and turn to Him!
Closing Thoughts:
Do those around you see something different about you? Are you a light to them? If so, is it bright enough for all to see or is it just a dim flicker once in a while?
Are you as determined to protect what is uniquely Christian in your life as Muslims are to theirs? Are you being faithful in the “little things,” so your faith will be strong enough to withstand anything that comes?
In what area of your life do you need to get your eyes on Him and not the circumstances?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to be lights shining in a dark world, to stand for truth while loving and praying for the lost around us. Help us to remember that those who seek to conquer our country are also a great mission field and that while we are in the world, we are not of it. Enable us to live holy lives, so that others will see You and that You will be glorified!
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about the contagious nature of many sins, about responding to those who would call us fanatics, about friendship, and about the condition of our hearts.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss them.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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