The death of Ignatius of Antioch is highly speculated, but many believe that he died a gruesome death being mangled by wild beasts. He was arrested for his faith in Christ and then sentenced to die. As he walked out into the arena, he suddenly realized that he had a captive audience. In his last minutes to live, he began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As the wild beasts came toward him, he continued to share Christ. What he was sharing was more important than what was about to happen to him. It is said that he was actually pleading for the lives of those in the arena rather than for his own life. He died an authentic follower of Christ. When arrested by Roman soldiers, Polycarp responded a third time which sealed his death sentence; "How can I abandon the one who I have served for 86 years, when He has done so much for me?" It is believed that he died burned at the stake, preaching the Gospel until he was consumed by the flames. He too died an authentic follower of Christ. What is it about these historical figures that captivates our minds, grips us when we hear their stories, and compels us to be as committed to what we believe? They were authentic. They lived what they believed both in their words and deeds. I want to be known as a person who lives what I believe; don't you?
God has used circumstances and people of recent days to speak to my heart. Although life's circumstances are rarely enjoyable, they are always profitable. He has searched my heart (Ps. 139) and yes, even found things that should not be in there. The truth of the matter is, I am a sinner. Yes, I am covered by the blood of Jesus, but I am a work of daily grace. I say things I should not say, I think things I should not think, and I do things I know I should not do. Paul confesses in Romans 7; "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate." Yet, when all was said and done, Paul died an authentic follower of Christ. I would not dare put myself on par with the Apostle Paul, but I do want to follow his example as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. I want to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ; don't you?
Ignatius, Polycarp, Apostle's Peter, Paul, John, and countless others all died as authentic, genuine, people of faith. They spoke the truth in love and they lived out their convictions. They did so at great expense; not only losing friends, but literally their very lives. I would like to think I was at this point all the time, but it would not be truthful for me to say so. As John Piper says, "The supremacy of Christ is shown in the suffering of His saints," and Christ is the most worthy cause to die for, but there are times when I feel unworthy to die for my Lord. I am unworthy because of my constant sin and rebellion toward my loving Father. It is only by the righteousness of Christ that I can even stand in the presence of the Almighty, how could I even conceive of being worthy to die for Him? But then I am reminded of Galatians 2:20 (I am crucified with Christ...) and Mark 8:34-36 (take up my cross daily and follow Him...). Being worthy to die for Christ means first knowing Christ personally. But secondly, being a person of faith, hope, and love. It is being a person of honest character and integrity, speaking the truth in love - regardless of the cost, and daily walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
Over the last several days, the Lord has reminded me of a situation in my life from years ago that has shaped me, taught me, and yes, even haunted (I use that word carefully) me at times. There have been many situations over the years that have convicted me to be a person of truth and to boldly live out my faith. This story took place when I was in 10th Grade in Columbia, SC. To my knowledge, this is the first time I have shared this particular story since that time. I pray that it speaks to your heart.
A friend of mine began sharing with me and several others one morning in English class. He seemed down and depressed, but didn't really share anything specific with us. In passing, I nonchalantly told him that I would call him and talk with him sometime...that time would never come.
The next morning when I arrived at school, the principal made an announcement that is just as real to me today. He said that a fellow student was no longer with us due to unfortunate circumstances. My friend had taken his own life. The principal told the students to gather together, encourage one another, and above all pray for the family.
Instead of going to tennis practice after school, what would have happened if I had gone home and called my friend that very night? Was it a matter of merely saying I would do something, or simply that I failed to do what I said I would do? I said that I would call him sometime, but how do you define sometime? You can't play the what-if game, but it's nearly impossible not too. Although he had spoken to numerous other people at school the day before, it's just difficult to get past the notion that I personally was given an opportunity. It was not the responsibility of others to call him or do something; it was mine.
Years of studying the Scriptures and unique life experiences have stirred within me a desire for authenticity in my walk with the Lord. Opportunities afforded to me today may not be so tomorrow. It causes me to rise up and want to be a person who tells someone when I hurt, when I need help, and when I care. I want to be a person who will do the right thing when it is not fun, convenient, or popular. I want to be a person who is more concerned about the cause of Christ than the cause of a career. This is not an easy life to live. My former professor of Evangelism, Dr. Alvin Reid, once said, "Living the Christian life is not easy, that's why we have the Holy Spirit."
Having served as a student minister for nearly 7 years, I know the responsibility of being watched by others. The weight of trying to model Jesus in all I say and do. I know the weight of trying to answer a teenagers tough question about life, praying with someone terminally ill, or dealing with someone who is depressed and considering taking their own life like my friend from high school. It is difficult to speak the truth in love to parents with troubled kids, and even allow myself to be broken when making a mistake, which was and is often. It is so important to be someone that people can trust, lean on, and learn from, and yet exudes a teachable spirit that welcomes constructive criticism; are we striving to be that kind of person?
There is no better time than now to be real; authentic. Someone in your life today; either a family member, friend, acquaintance, or total stranger is watching you. Are you going to be an authentic follower of Jesus? Are you going to be a person who speaks the truth, walks the truth, and lives the truth? "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked (1 John 2:4-6). Let's start walking!