Heavenly Minded Suffering

 “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Hebrews 11:26 (NIV)

Persecution and suffering are high-value treasures for followers of Jesus. They are like diamond mines. Temporal threats of harm are no-contest for those who know that heaven is their eternal home.

As our world sinks ever deeper into the abyss of ungodly insanity, heavenly mindedness becomes ever more critical. Fearlessly speaking the truth in our current environment requires it. Heavenly mindedness is a soul-fortress that enables radical obedience.

Moses considered disgrace for the sake of Christ highly valuable. It was the cost of eternal reward. Noah, Abraham, and the other patriarchs could live as aliens and strangers because they were looking forward to receiving God’s promise. Moses’ parents knew God had a plan and were not afraid of the king’s edict. Unnamed faith heroes endured torture, imprisonment, jeers, flogging, chains and stoning as the cost of “a better resurrection”.

Throughout Biblical history and modern history, saints from across the world have withstood persecution of all kinds. The classic “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” tells of many who gave their lives for the gospel. Across our present world, in the Middle East and Asia there are millions of believers meeting in secret house churches who live boldly their faith. In Iran, where being a Christian can be deadly, the church is growing more rapidly anywhere else in the world. What do all these saints have in common? These all have in common at least this one thing, they all know that a short period of suffering cannot compare with the eternal weight of glory that awaits.

The fear of man can be debilitating. The antidote to fear of man is a proper fear of God and a confidence that his promise of eternal glory as a reward for faithfulness is certain. Is the certainty of reward in heaven motivating you to faithfulness?

(used by permission of ChristianDevotions.us)