How fearless are you and I? How fearless are you and I
when it comes to living for Christ?
Revelation 2:8-11 8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the
Last, who
died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your
poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are
Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I
tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution
for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will
give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second
death.
After reading about what the Smyrna church faced and
what Jesus said they would face in the future, how fearless do you think you
are now?
I wouldn’t like getting a letter telling me I was going
to face even more persecution and suffering. However, it would be encouraging,
knowing Jesus saw everything I already endured, knows what I’m about to face,
and guarantees my eternal future.
Jesus reminded Smyrna (and us) that He was already
victorious over earthly suffering and death. Therefore, He can promise life
after death to His faithful followers. We do not have to be hurt by the second
death, which is eternal separate from God in Hell.
How can you and I be prepared to maintain joy and
faithfulness through suffering? The more we know God, love Him and understand
what He’s done for us, the easier it will be to live fearlessly for Him!
Alice
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