The World Isn't Worthy

As I’ve said in previous posts, we are studying through Hebrews in our Sunday AM worship, and this week, the text has really worked on me in a big way. Studying this book has constantly challenged me to examine the reality of my faith, and my own priorities.
In the book, there is a consistent theme of enduring persecution through faith. The climax of this is found in chapter 11:35-38 (which is where we are studying this week at church), where the readers are reminded that their persecution has been preceded by many others who have suffered for their faith. The truth of this passage goes completely against the lie that is so prevalent in American Christianity today: that suffering and hardship is only due to a lack of faith. It’s said that if we truly have faith, we will prosper and have whatever we want, because after all, our best life can be now if we just have enough faith and speak favor into our lives. The people in this text it says “were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life”. These people did not suffer because of their lack of faith. In v. 39 it says that they were “commended for their faith”. So if they had faith, why were they stoned, sawn in two, killed by the sword, and destitute hiding caves and dens?
The answer is that faith may lead to conquering kingdoms and obtaining promises, but in God’s sovereignty, it may also lead to suffering and pain, even in 2011. Somewhere in N. Korea, there is a prison guard ready to torture a Korean Christian for their faith. Somewhere in Iran or Iraq or Saudi Arabia or Yemen, there are Christians losing property, freedom, or being abused, and it is not because they don’t have enough faith, but it is because they actually do have real, deep, genuine faith. Not that God will make their life good now, but that he will be their reward later. The world truly isn’t worthy of these people.
I think when we receive our eternal weight of glory, and when those who have suffered for the cause of Christ receive theirs, we will wish we had sacrificed more and suffered more for the glory of Christ and the gospel. Comfort and ease in this life will mean nothing in that moment. Do we as American Christians that don’t face this persecution sacrifice and pray and weep for those that do? Our faith may not lead to severe persecution, but is it real enough that it would endure if it did?
www.persecution.com