To be a Christian is to be a warrior.

The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field.

Neither must he reckon upon the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God.

His occupation is war.

Nov 20, 2011

The Testimony of a Valiant heart!

Paul testifies of his walk with the Living God, 
in his own words…


Serving the Lord with all humility of mind…

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  Col 3:12-13

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Philip 1:27 

And with many tears…

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 2Co 2:4 

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Act 20:31 

And temptations…

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.   2 Cor 7:5

He kept back nothing, publicly testifying to the saving power of the gospel…

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:20-21

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Acts 20:26-27

And faithfully warning them of coming dangers…

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Acts 20:28-31

Yet, every where he turned…

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Cor 4:8-10

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. Acts 20:22-23

There is no getting out of it…

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  2 Cor 11:24-28

How did this affect Paul?

In his own words…

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Act 20:24 

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Philip 3:14

Trials. Afflictions. Bonds. Tears.

No shrinking back…

Steadfast. Immovable. Honest. Bold. Truthful.

No mincing words…

What is your testimony?

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post! By the end of it, I was moved to tears.... Partly by conviction, which can be mostly summed up in the words of Acts 20:24 (that you posted):

    "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

    Wow. Powerful! I love this scripture, yet I see myself falling short of the intent of the scripture.

    In my Honors course (the same one in which we read Paul's letters), I learned that a martyr literally means "a witness." I had always believed it to be a person who is persecuted (in any form) for their beliefs. While that is often what makes a person a martyr, the very definition is that they are a witness to both the believers and the non believers that Jesus Christ is Lord. They themselves are a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

    What a valiant heart one must be to endure physical persecution. Yes.

    But even so much more, not fearing the one that can harm the body only, but the One that has power over body and soul--
    What a valiant heart to be a witness, to give a testimony. What a valiant heart to carry a burden for others. What a valiant heart to deny themselves for the high calling of God. What a valiant heart to have joy in the midst of affliction, physical or otherwise.

    I really appreciate your posts.... They seem to be perfectly coinciding with things happening in my life right at this very moment.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes Raquel! You stated it so wonderfully...
    "What a valiant heart to be a witness, to give a testimony. What a valiant heart to carry a burden for others. What a valiant heart to deny themselves for the high calling of God. What a valiant heart to have joy in the midst of affliction, physical or otherwise."

    May He continue to touch you and change you...for His service and for His glory!
    God Bless you!

    ReplyDelete