The Spirit of Martyrdom

Over the past year God has been increasingly speaking to me about martyrdom. The idea of being used as a witness in my death and giving my life for the gospel of Christ has been burning in my spirit for almost two years now. I firmly believe that if I experience death (that is if I don't live to see the second coming) that I will die the death of a martyr. I have actually caused alarm to some of my loved ones by my burning desire to give myself in this way.

The first century Church believed that martyrdom was not meant to be sought out but was one of the highest honors that one could receive. To be found worthy to die for the name of Christ was a joy above all joys. Ignatius of Antioch wrote that his upcoming death would enable him to be "a true disciple of Christ." Those who have died for the Name have been poured out as drink offerings for the Kingdom of God and their deaths are as incense before the throne of God.

The word for martyr comes from the Greek word for witness. The original word was used for those who suffered persecution for their beliefs. It didn't necessarily involve death. But in the early centuries of the Church it started to be used for those who gave their lives for the gospel.

But martyrdom begins long before we come to the place of death. Christ's sufferings started long before He came to the cross. We are called to take up our cross and die daily to our flesh. In many ways we are all called to be martyrs of sorts. The Lord is calling all of us to adopt a spirit of martyrdom. Our lives are not our own but have been purchased with a price. We have been saved for the Kingdom life. When we are dead to the flesh then this world has no power over us any longer.

We are called to the resurrected life. But we can't enter into the fullness of Christ's resurrection without first entering into the fellowship of His suffering. We can't have the glory of heaven with our flesh still alive. God is calling us to enter into the fire of refinement. God is calling forth His consecrated ones in this hour.

God doesn't need men and women of renown. God isn't looking for people of greatness. He is looking for those who are willing to lay down everything that they have and allow Him to have all of them. The time of the divided heart is over. God is calling forth His end-time martyrs. Those who will live a lifestyle of martyrdom. Those who will be living witnesses through their words and deeds. Some of us will have the great joy of partaking of the fellowship of His death. But all of us are called to participate in His sufferings and to take up His cross daily as we crucify our flesh.

The American Church preaches a prosperity message too often while neglecting the crucifixion. Yes, the Kingdom is here! We have all things in Christ and we are able to fight from a place of victory. I firmly believe that we will see a greater and greater manifestation of the Kingdom. But we can't ignore those scriptures that speak about participating in the sufferings of Christ. Consecration isn't a strategy we employ in order to curry favor with God. It is a posture of the heart so that we might be completely dead. For when we are completely dead then it will be Him operating within us in all of His fullness. We are mere vessels for the will of God.

If God wants to bring me to the top of the seven mountains then so be it. If God wants me to serve as a janitor or as a nameless intercessor then so be it. I am a mere vessel in His employ. But whatever my purpose or destiny I want it to be pure. I do not want to be the one that stands in the way of the fullness of God's spirit in my life. I don't want to be the one who keeps myself from embracing the fullness of His will. How many times have I had to circle the mountain as Israel did when they resisted the will of God? How many times have I buried my talents out of fear? How many times have I ran as Jonah did or resisted as Barak? Or compromised as David and Samson.

We have been made perfect in Christ! We have been clothed in garments of His righteousness which is perfect. And He who has known death, resurrection, and glory is seated upon the throne interceding for us. Let us throw ourselves upon His mercy and embrace the lifestyle of the martyr. Not our will but His will be done in our lives. Let us put our flesh to death daily and embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in our beings. As we do this we will see a greater manifestation of His glory in our lives.