But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)
You may have noticed that my Word for Wednesdays have been successively going down one track. They could be summed up with the title, “Following Jesus,” or, to put it in one word, “Go.”
I have posted a lot on the subject of the five martyrs in Ecuador, and apparently it has had a colossal effect on my readers. It had a colossal effect on me, too. Why would they go? Even more pressing, why did they die? WHY?
Why did Jesus go to the cross? Why did He come down to earth in the first place?
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
Is it, then, too much for Jesus to ask us to die to ourselves? Pass from this earth and live forever in the beauty of the presence of God? Is it too much for us to give to Him who gave up His dignity, bled and was mocked and died to purchase our freedom not only from sin, but from the wrath of a Holy God? Here are the words of those men who died on the beach of the Curraray River on January 8, 1956:
“Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus.” Jim Elliot
“During the last war we were taught that in order to obtain our objective, we had to be willing to be expendable…. Yet, when the Lord Jesus asks us to pay the price for world evangelization, we often answer… ‘It costs too much…’ God didn’t hold back His only Son.” Nate Saint
“I would gladly give my life for that tribe.” Pete Fleming
“I dare not stay home…” Jim Elliot (on leaving America)
“I have one desire now: to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord.” Ed McCully
“There is a seeking of honest love, drawn from a soul, storm-tossed, A seeking for the gain of Christ, to bless the blinded, the beaten, the lost.” Roger Youderian.
Before they went to the Curraraye River to make contact with the Waodani, they discussed whether or not they would defend themselves if the Indians attacked them, which was more than likely. They decided that they absolutely would not take the lives of any Indians. They said, “They’re not ready for heaven; we are.”
I think the story really challenges us who would die for our country; would we die for something invisible? Would we lay down our lives for the naked savages because if they die, they will spend an eternity in HELL? “For the love of Christ compels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
Indeed, we how often every day do we rejoice that we are saved by grace through faith, not of works? That we are called and chosen unto so great a salvation? How often do we rejoice that we have been called and chosen for the furtherance of this salvation? We see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, now dimly, but we shall soon see face to face! We often think of what a day it will be to finally be home, with our Heavenly Father and with those who have passed, the ones who brought us to Christ and trained us in Him. But what a day it will be to see the countless faces of those who are there because of our witness!
A common conception is that God calls some chosen few to be preachers, missionaries, and evangelists. No, the Scripture tells us that “YOU”-that’s you and me-have been called to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light! Not all will accept; we will face rejection, as the five martyrs and countless others did. Jesus said, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) But we are called and chosen!
This is a quote from one of my favorite Hillsong songs, Desert Song:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow,
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow.”
How can we keep silent? What are we afraid of? We HAVE overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! The Lamb is the King of kings, Lord of lords, He HAS won. What have we to lose? Our homes? Our belongings? Our lives? (poo!) Is it ambition, or simply the comfort we presently enjoy?
There was once a young man whose ambitions were entirely set on the ministry. The only gain he strove for was the gain of Christ. He was president of a club of students interested in missions. He taught Sunday School and was not the least bit ashamed to share his faith. He was a champion wrestler; he didn’t date; he ate healthy; he co-hosted a sermon radio program; he made money as a handyman. They called him a fool, telling him “You’re so heavenly minded, you’re no earthly good!” He became among the most famous of missionaries, of Christians–after his death. This is what he wrote in his journal while in college:
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
What is there for us to lose? “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7)
By the way, here are more quotes from Jim Elliot’s journal:
Saturate me with the oil of Thy Spirit, that I may be aflame.”
“Lord, make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high status, but that my life may be an exhibit to the value of knowing God.”
There’s an old children’s hymn, that goes:
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”
Aye! We have been brought in to the marvelous light of Him who makes His ministers a flame of fire!
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