Living a sacrificial life – Prayer for November 12. Praise the Lord, everybody!
Every Christian has searched over the question of martyrdom at one time or another. We all wonder what we would do if we chose to live for ourselves or die for our faith in Christ.
Bible Verse for Today
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
The thing is, God has already called us to die. The dictionary describes a “martyr” as these two things: one who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles or one who makes great sacrifices or suffers much to further a belief, cause, or principle.
God has called us to be “self-martyrs” to commit self-martyrdom. Paul tells us that we no longer live, but it is Christ who lives through us and in us (see Galatians 2:20). Once we as Christians grasp the fact that we no longer live and no longer are subject to our fleshly desires, it becomes easier for us living a sacrificial life.
If you have read Acts chapters 6 and 7, you are familiar with a true believer named Stephan, who was the first Christian martyr.
The Bible says he was full of the Holy Spirit, and his ministry was followed by “signs and wonders.” He was put on trial by the Pharisees and Sadducees for preaching the “blasphemy” of the gospel of Christ. He was found guilty, taken out, and stoned to death. Acts chapter seven states that Stephen did not deny Christ nor plead for his life
Stephen was already a martyr; he had died to himself long before this happened. His flesh did not cry out to live because he had already mortified his flesh, and all he could see was Jesus as he asked God to forgive his accusers.
Devotional for every day: Daily Devotional
When we reach the point in our relationships with Christ that Stephan had achieved, we won’t have to question whether we would be willing to die for our faith. We will be ready, willing, and able to lay our lives down for our faith, and then we will know what Paul felt when he stated in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” God bless you all.
Living a Sacrificial Life Prayer for Today
Father God, help us to live as Christ and to die to the flesh. We thank You that we can lean on You for the strength to mortify our flesh so that we can submit to any trial or tribulation that You allow to come our way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Also read: Prayer for November 11
