"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
I have just finished reading a trilogy by Francine Rivers called"The Mark of the Lion". The era is 79 A.D., the time of Nero, the Diaspora, and the beginnings of the first Christian churches. Although this is fiction, the history is right on the money. It is a fabulous study of the times of Christian martyrdom and what the early church endured to bring it to it's present standing.
Reading the stories, I was greatly impacted by the faith of the First Century Christians. What they endured - slavery; beatings; imprisonment; torture; what they gave up - freedom; their countries; homes; families; their lives; - simply to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It caused me to just sit and meditate on where I would be if not for the strength, courage, and incredible, incredible faith of these most precious saints of God.
This innumerable "cloud of witnesses" paved the way with their very lives that I may sit in peace and safety today, with no fear of any kind of repercussions when I proclaim my faith. They willingly laid down their lives, that I wouldn't have to. The strength and convictions of their faith shame me. Their witness of their faith in the face of the most unholy cruelty cause me to cry out to God for my weakness and selfishness. But then I am strengthened and lifted up in the knowledge that I am redeemed, and able to proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ when called upon to do so.
It is the witness of these countless nameless ones that bless my soul, that I praise God for. If they could throw off the sin that hinders, I can do no less. If they could stand pure before the Lord in the face of torture and death, I can do no less in the face of peace and safety. If the Lord God Almighty could strengthen them to walk in His steps, He will do no less for me if I ask Him.
Some day, by God's grace, we all will be in that numbered "cloud of witnesses". If future generations could read about our lives, what would they learn from the faith we live today?
"Precious Lord Jesus, strengthen me, I am so weak. My tongue ties and my voice falters when I am called upon to witness for you. I pray, Lord, that you will loosen my tongue and strengthen my voice that I may proclaim your glory whenever called upon, that the actions of my life will show the world who I live for. My heart's desire is to be a true and faithful witness for you, that you will be glorified. Help me, Lord I pray. Amen."
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 9:24
16:13
Philippians 1:27
2 Timothy 4:7
Hebrews 12:2
1 Peter 5:9
1 John 1:9
3 John 1:3
Jude 1:20
Revelation 2:10, 13
14:12
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