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 actions. I want to be known as a person like that - don't you?
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 is that I am a sinner. Yes, I am covered by the blood of Jesus, but I am a daily work of 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.
The Lord has reminded me of a situation that took place when I was in 10th Grade in Columbia, SC. He has continually used this story to shape me, teach me, and to humble me. My prayer is 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. I learned that 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 might have happened had I gone home and called my friend that very night? Was I more interested in words or actions? As a follower of Christ, there must never be a disconnect between my words and my actions. I said that I would call him sometime, but what was meant by sometime? How do you keep from playing the what-if game? He had spoken to numerous people at school the day before, but it's difficult to get beyond the notion that I was personally given an opportunity to intervene.
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. It is a daily struggle.
There is no better time than now to be 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" (cf. 1 John 2:4-6). Let's start walking!