The typical American gospel of today says, “Come to Jesus to make your life better!” It is a gospel of life enhancement.
But is this what scripture promises? A life of ease and happiness? Is this what is reflected in church history? Is this what Christians in other countries experience? And what kind of fruit is produced when one responds to this sort of gospel?
In Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For 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?”
This does not sound like a message of life enhancement, or your best life now; but one of self-denial, following Christ (not our desires), and the willingness to even lay down our own life.
This was exampled for us by Jesus Himself in His willingness to endure persecution and ultimately lay down His life for the remission of our sins. And also, by His disciples. Excluding Judas, every one of the 12 was persecuted and martyred for preaching Christ except for John, but John did endure persecution.
If a person responds to the gospel of life enhancement, they will soon find that trials, tribulations, and persecutions are too much to bear and will conclude that Christianity did not “work” for them. They are likely to not return. (see the parable of the sower and the stony ground)
It’s important to insert here that being born again, living our lives for Christ, and walking in righteousness does bring great joy, peace, contentment, and fulfillment! But it is not an exemption from this sinful, fallen world and the hostility that comes from bearing the name of Christ. But the gospel has been made to be so cheap and easy that its value is greatly diminished.
Salvation is a free gift, but following Jesus Christ will cost you everything. Believers all throughout history and in all different nations have suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, for many it has cost their lives.
Let’s look at some scriptures that tell us what we should expect for following Jesus, both the persecution and the reward:
John 15:20- Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
2 Timothy 3:12- Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Matthew 5:10-12 – Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
2 Corinthians 12:10- Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.
1 Peter 4:14-16 - If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
And this is exactly what we’ve seen in the history of the church, the body of Christ. Horrible persecution of the church began very early. The first disciple to be martyred was James and that was only in AD 44.
Ten years after this began the horrific Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Nero, many are familiar with Christians being fed to the lions in the Colosseum for entertainment, but this is only a small part of what he did.
During the Inquisition, believers who stood up against the Church of Rome were subjected to horrendous and gut-wrenching tortures. And even today, in many countries Christians must meet and keep a Bible in secrecy for fear of being jailed or killed.
I would like to share a story with you from Foxe's Book of Martyrs (pages 23-24). This is a story of martyrdom during the eighth persecution under the Emperor Valerian (A.D. 253-260).
Also in the church in Rome was a godly man named Lawrence, who was a minister of the Gospel and in charge of distributing the church's goods (see Acts 6:3). Marcianus greedily demanded that Lawrence tell him where the church's riches were hid, thinking he could take them for himself. Lawrence, requested three days in which to gather the riches together and present them to the governor. When the third day came, Marcianus demanded that Lawrence keep his promise. Whereupon Lawrence stretched out his arms over some poor Christians that he had gathered in the place with him and said, "These are the precious riches of the Church. They are the treasure in which faith in Christ reigns, in whom Christ has His dwelling place. What more precious jewels can that Church have than those in whom Christ promised to dwell?" Upon hearing this, Marcianus raged in the fury and madness of devils, and screamed out his anger: "Light the fire, do not spare the wood! This villian has tried to deceive the emperor. Away with him, away with him! Whip him with scourges, jerk him with hooks, buffet him with fists, brain him with clubs. Does the traitor joke with the emperor? Pinch him with fiery tongs, wrap him in burning plates, bring out the strongest chains, and the fire-forks, and the grated bed of iron. Put the bed on the fire and when it's red-hot, bind him, turn him. Torment him every way you can or you will be tormented yourselves."
No sooner had he finished ranting than the tortures began. After many cruel torments, this meek slave of Christ was laid on his fiery bed. But in God's providence, it was as a bed of soft feathers, and the godly Lawrence laid there and perished as if taking a nourishing rest.
Believers like the man in this story, and the ones that have been and are continuing to be persecuted and martyred, have counted the cost like Jesus describes in Luke 14.
Why would anyone allow themselves to be subject to such brutality? What would cause them to endure such things?
It is the hope that is within them.
It’s knowing that we are not greater than our Master.
It’s having assurance in the Father’s great love for us and the reward that comes with obedience to Him. Jesus said several times that he who endures to the end shall be saved.
In John chapter 6, it says that there is a point when many of the disciples who had been following Jesus around throughout His ministry went back and walked with Him no more. Jesus asked the 12 if they were going to leave also. And Peter said to Him, Lord to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.
Where else can we go?
Following anyone or anything else profits nothing. But Jesus Christ alone has the words of eternal life. Paul writes in Philippians 3 that he counts all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us a free gift of salvation! But following Him will cost us everything.
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