The Martyr List

Martyr-  a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause

Throughout the annals of history, countless men and women have endured great loss and suffered much affliction on behalf of others including the greatest payment of death.  Martin Luther and William Tyndale are but two outstanding examples standing along side many of the great Apostles of the Scriptures. 

Occasionally (OK, you've got me - far more often than I'd like to admit on paper), I like to add myself to the list, particularly at home.  Now of course I've never suffered death on behalf of my Bride.  In fact, I have yet to ever truly endure physical pain as a service to her (beyond the many DIY projects gone horribly wrong, that is).  Nevertheless, my list of service deserving of martyrdom merit rivals Fox's Book of Martyrs and is daily being revised and edited! 

How then do I join the hallowed halls of martyrdom?  Easily.  Every time my love sweetly asks me to do something I really don't want to do, yet I still do it, points appear on my imagined spiritual scorecard.  When I let her believe that she is right even though I know she is dead wrong I earn double miles on my account.  And so on...

Exaggerated, perhaps, but in the heat of the moment, my pulsing emotions and racing thoughts  certainly travel along these lines helping me to arrive at such ludicrous conclusions!  How then, could I possibly rise above such a vicious, downward spiraling cycle? 

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  - Rom. 5:7-8

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:...[who] being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." -Phil. 2:4-5, 8

By the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.  According to the testimony and pattern of Christ as set forth for us by Paul's pen.   Jesus Christ is the Martyr - the One who lived a perfect life, undeserving of death, who yet willingly suffered death upon our behalf.  We, who were wicked, vile and dead in our sins - the complete opposite of all He created us for and to be - were absolutely undeserving of His great and sacrificial love, yet He has lavishly bestowed it upon us, freely!  It's according to this mold that my Father asks me to fashion my life and home.

The call of God's grace reaches deep within our souls, touching every facet of our lives.  God has not specifically nor on a daily basis asked us today to be His martyrs, physically dying for Him.  Indeed it could happen; however, He desires something far greater and yes, more difficult - to physically live for Him as a servant. 

Would you join me in endeavoring to follow Christ's example of servant hood sans martyrdom?  Will you serve Him during the day at work or school? at church with your fellow brothers and sisters?  at home with your spouse, children or parents?  There's no need to keep a list (at least of what you've done) but rather bear in mind what He has already done for us.  Let's serve Him, no strings attached.