Back to the Future (Part 5)

I have entitled my blog "Walking with God relieves stress." Note, I did not say that walking with God guarantees that you will be problem free. Stress is mainly a problem brought on with the idea of "not having control" of life's circumstances. Stress is greatly removed from the life of a Christian who daily realizes that their life is not their own, but rather gives total control to Jesus Christ to pilot their life as long as they are given breath to live. With Christ in the driver's seat, why should I fear or get stressed out with life's surprises? This mindset can be illustrated with two of the seven churches found in Revelation chapters 2 & 3, Smyrna and Philadelphia. These two are the only churches found in John's seven letters that only hear a good report from Jesus. There is nothing negative to be said about these two churches. These churches were not perfect, but rather they were walking with Christ so closely, that they were doing everything that God has called the New Testament church to do in a lost and hostile world.

Yet take a closer look at both churches and their environment of ministry. Both congregations are experiencing great persecution and even death. It is said of Smyrna that these believers are suffering, some are in prison, and some will even be killed for the faith (2:10). In Philadelphia, the believers here are poor, weak, and under great pressure from Jewish persecution (3:8-9). Walking close to Christ will in fact bring more opposition your way and my way. But there is no amount of persecution and suffering that can over shadow the love and faithfulness of the churches one, true, and only foundation - Jesus Christ. As I heard from the lips of one persecuted Christian church leader from Somalia, "You may kill me once, but you will never touch me again, for I belong to Jesus Christ." This should give us great incentive to continue faithfully in the work that God as called us to. Until next time, continue walking closely with Christ.