Loyalty sometimes comes at the steepest of prices! For some, the cost may seem minimal, but for others it has cost them deeply, dearly, and sometimes completely. Throughout history, the people of God have endured mocking, persecution, and even martyrdom. God offers us the record of many who chose to suffer rather than recant their proclaimed faith in the Creator. Many things have changed since ancient times, but those choosing to walk with the Lord today will likewise see an escalation in all forms of persecution. This tribulation from the world will become increasingly worse as man continues to be influenced by ungodliness. Believers should willingly endure whatever cost loyalty may require by keeping in mind the ultimate price paid when Christ gave Himself for mankind. Though the list in Hebrews chapter 11 has been closed, the Lord continues to track the actions of those loyal to Him.
The Bible clearly emphasizes that the Christian warfare is a “fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) against spiritual foes (Ephesians 6:12). With this in mind, it only makes sense that the weapons used in this warfare would also be spiritual in nature. The Christian’s fight needs no physical arms, swords, or weaponry of any kind, yet the weapons of this warfare are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Those religions (and cults) who use physical weaponry to convert others to their “faiths” have never done this at the Lord’s bidding or direction. The Christian faith never has nor ever will convert one single person through use of a physical sword or threat. Instead, God’s people are completely reliant upon the words of God and the God of those words.
