DECISION THEN PREPARATION

Ever since The Fall, Satan has been killing, stealing and destroying the lives of humans. Those who are considering or consider Christianity as their faith must also contemplate the possibility of death because "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)  The devotion of lives to Christ, even unto death, should be expected. Revelation 12:11 speaks of a future time when a loud voice testifies to that devotion of believers in Christ, even unto death -  

• "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."

An old contemporary Christian music group named Degarmo and Key wrote and performed a song called "The Pledge" many years ago. In the song, the lyrics declare - "He died for me, I'll live for Him." It is a wonderful place to be - ready, willing and able to live for Christ. But are you ready to die for Him? Have you made that move mentally and spiritually - that if your faith in Christ meant giving up your life you would choose to trust in Jesus?

As a Christian or one considering Christianity - Are you ready to die for faith in your Savior? We have the world increasing its attack on Christianity every day; we have our own problems to sort out; and then we have Satan trying to use all this and more to kill, steal, destroy and devour. I really like how Daniel's brothers of the faith responded to impending death in a fiery furnace - 

• "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

The words "and He will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand." imply not only trust by the three amigos (friends), but divine insight which allowed them to declare this. However, even with this divine revelation, the three Hebrew men allowed for the possibility that God may change His mind and want them with Him in Heaven - "But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." This mental, physical and spiritual decision and preparation for possible death in the faith is necessary now. I encourage you to decide for Christ and His benefits, then prepare yourself as best you can for what may be asked of you in the days to come.