Are You a Martyr?

I never served in the military. But I have an idea of the bond that is formed between soldiers in battle. The camaraderie of those who serve and suffer hardship is so strong that each would die to protect the other. While never experiencing such “warfare” camaraderie, I did experience a fellowship of sufferings during my two years serving in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. Life there was full of deprivations; it was hard. Many Peace Corps volunteers form life-long friendships. Suffering together can result in a bond that is not easily broken.

Paul calls us to a “fellowship of His [Jesus] sufferings, being made conformable to His death” (Philippians 3:10), and to “suffer hardship as a good solider of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).

A soldier, or one who suffers hardship to the point of death, is a MARTYR. He is willing to die for the cause he represents. As good soldiers, suffering hardship, we too demonstrate we are willing to die. Just as Jesus did! Paul is telling us that there is a sweet fellowship in dying with Jesus. Where does this willingness come from?

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told the disciples that they would receive power after the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they would be “witnesses.” The word “witness” is the same word as “martyr.” Stephen is often referred to as the first martyr—he gave WITNESS to the truth about Jesus, and was MARTYRED.

When we receive the Holy Spirit He births in us an inward spirit and disposition of self-sacrifice. With this inward spirit of ‘death to self’ we enter into fellowship with Jesus who sacrificed Himself—the spirit of self-sacrifice conforms us to His death. As He died to self, so do we. This spirit of self-sacrifice makes us "WITNESSES" or "MARTYS" who willing die to our self-life for Jesus. It is not a physical death (although for some it is), but a spiritual death. Is this not what Paul means when he says, “I have been crucified [martyred?] with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Paul is saying he has joined Christ in death. This then is the fellowship, camaraderie, bond, of those who suffer and die together.

Do you allow the spirit of self-sacrifice to rule you? Have you joined the ranks of the martyrs for Jesus?