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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Courage From a Man Names "Polycarp"
Today’s news stories often paint a frightening picture of the future. Some of the stories may be a bit premature, but if there is any truth in them, we may need to do some “planning ahead.” Some are saying that “hate-crime” laws will forbid comments about alternate lifestyles. They say that if these laws are passed, it could become illegal for a preacher to state that practicing homosexuality is sin. They say that even reading the Bible on that subject could be defined as a violation of such laws. What could a preacher, a Bible teacher, parent or any Christian do if that happens?
This situation is hardly a new one. Early Christians knew that some form of persecution was a strong possibility, for Jesus had warned them about it. Other New Testament passages warned about persecution also, and they were seeing their brothers and sisters taken from their homes, beaten and threatened with death for refusing to honor Caesar as “God.”
One whose life was taken lived in Smyrna in the middle of the second century. Polycarp was known by all to believe and preach the gospel. A period of severe persecution began, and Polycarp’s enemies searched for him.
On the insistence of his friends, he hid for a time, but was finally brought before those who sought him. He was brought to the public amphitheater and questioned concerning his faith. “Curse Christ and I will set you free,” promised his captors. “What harm can it do to offer sacrifice to the Emperor?” His answer was—and still is—a compelling one. Without hesitation he said before his accusers,
“Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved me? You threaten the fire that burns for an hour and then is quenched; but you know not of the fire of the judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment. Bring what you will.”
Even the magistrate was hesitant to take the life of this gentle old man, seeking to persuade him to make some gesture that would justify his release, but to no avail.
As they gathered the wood for the fire he took his place in the midst of the pile. They began to fasten him to the stake, but he said, “leave me thus, I pray, unfastened; He who has enabled me to brave the fire will give me strength also to endure its fierceness.” In prayer, according to those present, he said,
“I thank thee that thou hast thought me worthy, this day and this hour, to share the cup of the Christ among these witnesses.”
Thus the faithful and courageous Polycarp died.
What leads a man to face such pain and suffering willingly when it could have been avoided? Tradition tells us Polycarp had been acquainted with the Apostle John. It is true that the Holy Spirit had inspired John to write a letter to the church at Smyrna, found in the book of Revelation, chapter two. In that letter, John had written:
“I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life,” Revelation 2:9-10.
No, the congregation at Smyrna was not a wealthy one. They, in fact, were in “poverty,” but in spirit they were “rich.” They were threatened, but they would not and did not betray their Lord or their own word.
What will happen to Christians if and when persecution faces us? Are words of Jeremiah 12:5 appropriate to our generation?
“If thou have run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?”
Hebrews 12:4 indicted hesitant Christians in the 1st century, saying that they had not even “resisted unto blood,” but were wavering in their faith.
It does not serve us well to “borrow trouble” from tomorrow, Matthew 6:34. But what if severe persecution comes to us in this century? Some will compromise, but some will hold fast, being “faithful” even in the face of death. Like Polycarp and others of his day.
One man, facing a horrible death, gives courage to others. What will we do if this faces us? If we are not faithful in easier times, how can we face such trials tomorrow?
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“You cannot run away from weakness; you must some time fight it out or perish; and if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?”
“He who is firm in will molds the world to himself.”
“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it,”
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There Is Every Reason to Be Glad
It is a fact that MANY distressing things happen in this old world every day that cause us great consternation. Such things sometimes drive us almost to the brink of despair. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, obviously felt that way too during his time, but he also saw something that we need to see as well. He wrote, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,” Psalm 27:13 NKJV.
Taking that viewpoint of things, notice what else he wrote: “Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful…be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord,” Psalm 31:23-24. Then we read further, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart,” Psalm 32;11. We need to be confident that “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry,” Psalm 34:15.
From these marvelous inspired writings, we can conclude that regardless of the external distress that may surround us, and though we see many inequities and injustices, still, God is the Supreme Sovereign of this universe, and He will see to it that right, truth and goodness ultimately prevail. “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?” Gen. 18:25. The answer, of course, is YES! This one sublime truth gives us every reason to be glad!
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