Revelation 1:9 says,
"I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom
and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the
word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Ok, let's just dive
into this one. John was writing to the churches in Asia as their brother and
companion in tribulation and in God's Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. He
says in the tribulation. I think for Christians we automatically start thinking
about the end time Tribulation that we talk about but Paul says in Acts
14:22 that as Christ Followers we will
go through many tribulations before we enter God's kingdom. Then, John starts
talking about how he was on the island of Patmos for the word of God and for
the testimony of Jesus Christ. John was being imprisoned at Patmos for sharing
the Gospel. But obviously that didn't stop him. He was still being used when he
was in prison to share the testimony of Christ because he wrote the book of
Revelation.
Ok so what does this
have to do with perseverance and how does it relate to me? Well, John had to
persevere a whole lot. Each phase of his life was a new set of trials. He went
through a LOT of persecution for Jesus. He persevered a lot.
The things that I
deal with as trials and temptation can't even compare to what John and the
other disciples endured for Jesus. The amazing thing is that they didn't
complain. Some of them asked for it to be taken away but in the end they were
willing to do anything in God's will. I want to follow that example. I want to
be so committed to Christ like He was committed to me. I want to be able to
honestly say that I would go to the ends of the earth and even death to spread
God's word to those who need to hear it. I think that death is probably not the
hardest part to endure but the torture. When I die, I get to see Jesus. But
while I'm still here on earth, pain is definitely not my favorite. But I love
Jesus. I know that God loves me and created the universe and He wants everyone
to know about Him. I have that truth and I know that it's my job as a Christ
follower to share that truth with everyone that I can, no matter what that
means for me. No matter what discomfort it brings. Ok so I don't know if I will
die for my faith but I want to at least be willing.
Now let's look at
this from a different angle. I know that being in a different country, I gave
up a lot of material comfort that I was used to. They were dumb shallow things
but still things that took small sacrifices like warm showers, favorite foods, sleeping
in my own room and so on. It makes me feel pathetic even saying that.
Seriously? John was boiled in oil and then when that didn't work he was
imprisoned for the rest of his life on an island. Peter was imprisoned several
times and then crucified upside down. Stephen was stoned. The list goes on. And
really? I can even think of going to a new country, taking cold showers and
eating new foods as a sacrifice??? Oh again, how I am faced with my
selfishness… Ok well I know that I will face persecution. I will face trials
and temptation. And John calls me a companion in the tribulation and kingdom
and patience of Jesus Christ. That is comforting. God obviously gave him the
amazing power that Paul talks about in Colossians 1:11. If John calls me his companion
in this tribulation then that just further affirms that if I ask for it, I can
have God's strength to persevere through anything He needs me to for His name.
Application:
I am going to pray
for an emptying of self so that I will be able to willingly do whatever God
asks me to for His name.
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