Count the Cost
Foxx book of martyrs is interesting reading, but it is not for the faint in heart. If one is curious about this find a copy and read it. Those who do not have the witness of the Holy Spirit as confirmation of their personal, eternal state may find it difficult – if not impossible – to finish.
How were these giants of the faith able to face certain death? How could the Christians go into the arena in Rome praying for their tormentors? They, like the Apostles, did not count their lives dear to themselves.
One thing begins to appear to be obvious; It is impossible to kill a dead man!
Also interesting are the accounts of the deaths of the twelve Apostles. John alone died a natural death in his old age. Some were beheaded. Peter refused to be crucified as Jesus was so he was hung upside down on a cross. While we may be thankful that times have changed from the past, the times will change again.
The time is coming when Christians will be called upon more and more to stand for the faith and some may no doubt pay the ultimate penalty. As the crusade period came to a close in the middle east Christian children, after their parents were killed, were forcefully pressed into the Islamic forces as janisaries.1 There are African Christians, Indian Christians, Middle Eastern Christians and many more beginning to pay the same full price of discipleship as we speak. This will not get better.
The Apostle gave the only helpful answer to a martyr’s preparation for death.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having (1) your loins girt about with truth, and (2) having on the breastplate of righteousness; And (3)your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, (4) taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And (5) take the helmet of salvation, and (6) the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (7) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and (8) watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6: 11-20).
“If you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live” (Romans 8:13).
The Apostle Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
The moment the Apostles saw the empty tomb and later saw the risen Christ they became as dead to sin. It became obvious to them that the only way to live eternally was to die temporally.
“I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13 & 14).
“You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20: 18-24).
Not every Christian may be called on to pay the supreme penalty for standing strong for the faith; but, as our Lord admonished “count the cost” (See Luke 14: 27- 33) and be prepared for whatever comes.
“What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matthew 16:26)?
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