Wearing Our Crowns

QUOTE

Now, it is evident that no one can terrify or subdue us who have believed in Jesus over all the world. For it is plain, that though beheaded, crucified, thrown to wild beasts, chains, fire, and all kinds of torture, we do not give up our confession; but the more such things happen, the more that others and in larger numbers become faithful, and worshippers of God through the name of Jesus. For just as if one cut away the fruit bearing parts of a vine, it grows up again, and yields other branches flourishing and fruitful; even so the same things happen with us. (Dialogue with Trypho, St Justin Martyr, CA 100-165 AD)

COMMENTARY

The kind of faith testified to here by Justin Martyr, is not a thing that we contemporary western Christians know first hand. Unlike our forefathers who stood for the faith with their very lives, and unlike our Eastern brothers and sisters, who until very recently were tortured and murdered for their faith by the communists, and unlike our current African brothers and sisters, who sit under the gun of the Mohamedans, awaiting an impending attack at any moment; we really have no recent recollection of the need to make a public confession of Christ when it counts. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is within us, and if this is true, then this kingdom should be visible in us, especially in the face of beheadings, crucifixions, being thrown to wild beasts, chains, fire, and all kinds of torture, without giving up our confession because we already wear the crown of heavenly princes here and now.

Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. Rev 3: 11-12