A thought from Jason
April 15, 2000
Will you stand?
I have a question for you. It is a simple but definite question. The question has nothing more to read into it than the question itself. Only Christ can empower us to give the appropriate answer. It can be answered with a simple yes or no.
The question was asked of nearly 150,000 believers last year and they answered yes. When they answered yes, their breath and life ceased. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for this answer to the question. They earned the title of "martyr" and ceased to exist here on this earth. Right now they stand before Christ, our Redeemer, and they actually have the privilege of worshipping Him all the time. Not worshipping some of the time, but all the time.
Their question was this: "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?"
It seems to be such a loaded question. It seems to be so lengthy and worthy of our answer. We sometimes think, "Well, this person won't understand so I'll just not risk embarrassing myself.
To tell you very bluntly, we cannot compromise to our faith and we cannot compromise our words confessing our Savior.
He could have called a million angels to save Him from the cross that killed Him. He could have commanded the world to cease turning so that all that were jeering Him would fall down and worship Him. He could have forgotten your pain, your suffering, your agony, your condemned sin nature and He might have said, "Well maybe another day."
But He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem for you. He cried on the Mount of Olives for you. He was whipped, beaten, cursed and ridiculed for you… Yes, you! When the first nail was driven into the Saviors hand he whispered your name.
Why, oh why, do we sometimes feel embarrassed to bow our head at a fast food restaurant to thank Jesus for the provisions He gives us every day?
Why do we feel weird when people ask us about our belief in the resurrected Lord?
Why do we sometimes back off? Why? Is our image is too important to risk?
God has asked you today for His life to be a powerful witness through you. Not for you. Not for the other guy. But for Him. He gave you everything He could, now its time to give Him a total surrender to being ridiculed, to being looked at differently, to even giving Him your life as a sacrifice and someday it might happen. The apostles gave their very last breath with the words, "I believe in Jesus". Don't you think you owe Him just one simple,
"Yes, I am a Christian"?
When you say yes, God will do the rest of the work.
Matthew 10:16-20 says, " Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My namesake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak, for it is not you who speak, but that Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
So when you encounter a time when your faith is asked of you, say the word "Yes". Show others that Jesus is alive and well and He supplies the power for your life. Their heads will turn to you and they will look at you. When they look at you, they will condemn you, they will try to harm you, but the God of all creation will be alongside you during everything that might come your way.
Be strong and courageous to state your belief in Jesus dying for your sins, rising from the dead and saving your soul. The salvation you speak of is what can transform their lives into an eternal resting-place with our Savior. Is someone asking you now about your life and Jesus? Then stand and say yes?
Have a blessed day.... Jason