Willing to Die for Jesus, But Not Willing to Live for Jesus

“I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” (Re 2:13-14 AV)

 

I find it both fascinating and sad those who were willing to die for the cause of Christ would allow those areas of compromise listed in the next verse.  They held fast the name of Christ. They were willing to lose their lives.  Yet, they allowed the doctrine of Balaam, idol worship, and sexual immorality.  One would think that if a church was willing to lose their lives, that same discipline would carry over to purity and spiritual growth.  In other words, they were willing to die for Jesus.  Just not willing to live for him.  The doctrine of Baalam is the doctrine of convenient compromise.  Balaam, a prophet of God, taught Balac, king of Moab, to send their daughters to intermarry with the Jewish men.  That way, the hearts of the men would be carried away by their love for their Moabitish wives into idol worship.  Even though we may not literally sacrifice unto statues today, we spend much money and time following our favorite sports star, entertainer, or any other idol who is more important to us than God.  Fornication is rampant in our churches.  From online pornography to actual sexual immorality, it is a festering disease in the body of Christ.  Yet, we will fight tooth and nail against an authority that would shut our churches or take our liberties.

When one stops to think upon this, it is not all that strange.  We have watched countless military or law enforcement shows or movies that depict similar circumstances.  One of our favorites follows a family who serves in law enforcement and the court system.  The protagonist had a good friend who was high up in the force, yet, struggled with substance abuse.  He was a highly decorated officer who worked hard and played hard.  He suffered several wounds in the line of duty, yet the bottle was one enemy he could not conquer.  During this particular episode, he had been drinking and on his way home, stopped an armed robbery by shooting the perpetrator.  He placed his life on the line as he was trained to do, yet he had been drinking.   He wasn’t drunk.  He simply had been enjoying himself and then did his duty as he would normally have done.  This caused great problems.  Discharging a firearm while under the influence is a serious matter.  Something that cannot be simply swept under the rug.  What was really sad is this fella was six weeks from retiring with a full pension.  He lost it all.  He was willing to die for the aw.  But he wasn’t willing to live for the law.

The same can be true of the saint.  No one would dispute our willingness to pay a heavy price of persecution for the faith we hold so dear.  We would be willing to go to the mat for the name of Jesus Christ.  We would face down any foe.  We would endure lawsuits, armed conflict, or loss of all that we had if it meant we had stuck up for the name of Jesus Christ.  We do not have a problem with the big battles.  It’s those small ones that get us every time.  We compromise in lesser areas only to find out they did great damage.  We spend our time and material belongings on that which we admire.  Whether it’s money doled out for entertainment, sports, or any number of other hobbies that could be used as an act of worship for the LORD, we sacrifice for idols.  We give that which hurts to lose rather than that which comes from our superabundance.  We turn over what belongs to the LORD for that which tantalizes the flesh.  We allow into our homes immodesty, immorality, and sensuality.  We bring it in via electronic entertainment.  Fornication abounds.  All this, yet we are willing to die for the cause of Christ.  We are willing to die for Christ.  Yet not live for Him.