This saturday I will be speaking at Victory Church on the ‘Crown of Life’ recorded in the book of revelation chapter 2:10. The Crwon is often reffered to as the Martyrys crown. During my study of the scriptures I was struck by the thought of 3 failures of many Christians, here they are;

We fail to understand the cost

Christianity is not a club that you join and then seek all the benefits of membership. Christ calls us to pay a cost and that cost is to become His witnesses or as the original Greek text says ‘Martyrs’. The first century Christians understood the cost of being followers of Christ as many of them were tortured and executed for their faith. Herbert Lockyer in his book ‘Last words of saints and sinners’ reports the death of one such Martyr,

When told by his executionors to reproach Christ! It is at this point that Polycarp gives his famous response — “Eighty and six years have I now served Christ, and he has never done me the least wrong: How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
The judge then angrily urges him to, “swear by the Genius of Caesar.” Polycarp refuses, The furious judge said, “Seeing that thou dispiseth the Wild Beasts, I will cause thee to be devoured by Fire, unless thou shall repent.” Polycarp answered,

“Thou threatenest me with Fire which burns for an hour, and so is extinguished; but knowest not the Fire of the Future Judgment of that Eternal Punishment which is reserved for the Ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt!”

They took Polycarp to the stake and were going to nail him there. He spoke up and said, “Let me alone as I am: For he who has given me strength to endure the Fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to stand without moving in the pile.”