It Will Be Worth It All

Good Monday, Fellow Bloggers!

Okay, it WAS cold here in eastern Nebraska this morning. For some reason my dog, Sadie, wanted outside about 2:30 a.m.. On such occasions I might be reminded by my "better half" that "Sadie IS YOUR dog!" But not today . . . My partner didn't even stir the slightest. So, out we went, my Sadie and I. I am quite sure the temperature was near zero. But, for some reason, as I write this blog, I am getting the distinct feeling that there may not be anyone even thinking about extending any sympathy to me for the way I had to suffer today.

Surely, my so-called "suffering" this morning was nothing compared to the brutal and sometimes fatal mistreatment experienced by the believers living near the end of the first century A.D., in the city of Smyrna, a commercial and financial center located in what would be known today as eastern Turkey. Her citizens were among the first in the entire Roman empire to embrace the cult of Emperor worship and to erect a temple for that purpose. Once a year everyone in the city was required to say "Kaiser kurios" ["Caesar is Lord"]. Faithful followers of Christ refused to give in to the demand. As a result, they were ostracized from society. Skilled workmen were denied membership in the trade guilds. Some were tortured in the most unimaginable and excruciatingly painful ways - often to the point of death. Somehow it seems so appropriate for the city name, Smyrna, to have the word "myrrh" as its linguistic root. For in order for the hardened resin of the commifora tree to emit is full fragrance, it would have to be crushed, beaten and pulverized - just like the Christ followers in that city were crushed and beaten and pulverized by wave after wave of persecution around A.D. 95. For the most part it was instigated by the cruel, egotistical and tyrannical emperor, Domitian, who even insisted that he be addressed as the "Lord God Domitian."

Yesterday at New Hope Bible Church, we studied the second letter of seven letters transcribed for us by the Apostle John, in Revelation 2-3. John was also the mentor of the pastor of the church at Smyrna, Polycarp, who was eventually killed for his faith in Christ and his ministry for Christ. We learned that the church at Smyrna faced intense poverty and persecution. The resurrected and exalted Christ challenged them to remain fear-LESS and faith-FUL, reminding them that ultimately it would be worth it all.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to his protege, Timothy, "...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" [2 Timothy 3:12]. Apparently, suffering for our Lord is NOT an elective. Rather, it is a required course in God's school of faith and character building. Perhaps that is why the Apostle Peter also wrote, "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering. . . but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" [1 Peter 4:12-13]. No, it is not an easy course. But through it all we may [and must] rely on the counsel and consolation of Christ! So, to my fellow believers in Jesus I say, "be fearLESS and faithFUL!" Because, as the Apostle Paul wrote, "I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" [Romans 8:18].

By the way . . . you can listen to yesterday's sermon online at: http://sermon.net/PastorJoeLombardi . You can also leave a comment right there online. And, please remember: Go ahead and share this link with someone else. We have no idea how the Lord may use this message to bring help, hope, peace and perspective to someone else!

Now, please remember - no matter whatever the Lord may allow to come your way in the coming days- that ultimately His purpose is to do something IN you [to "refine" you], and His plan is then to do something FOR you [to "reward" you with the "crown of life"].

So, in the words of one of my all-time favorite gospel songs . . .

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.

Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ!

One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.

So, bravely run the race - 'til we see Christ!

STILL amazed by His grace,

PJ

--
Joe Lombardi, Pastor
NEW HOPE BIBLE CHURCH