Though Christians may be willing to lay down their lives for Christ, we must be willing to endure the often difficulty of living for Christ. I’ve heard stories of Christians competing for the honor of sacrificing their physical lives for the cause of Christ. This is noble, if we are just as willing to endure the suffering for Christ, should we live. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My [Christ’s] strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
Price of Victory
I Can Do All Things
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). Humanism makes large about the abilities of man. Christianity is about our need for Christ. Through Christ we understand our humanity only has meaning because of Christ. Only through Christ are we truly able to do anything worth doing. The enemy cannot win, if we rely only upon Christ.
Learning Righteousness From God’s Judgments
What possible hope is there in God’s judgments? The answer is to learn righteousness. “When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9 KJV). But, do we need apocalyptic judgments to finally learn righteousness? Listen to the Apostle Paul. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1Corinthians 11:31-32 KJV). Self-judgment and confession are key to the Spirit of God giving us victory in Spiritual Warfare.
Victory Over the Enemy
“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God” (Revelation 15:2 KJV). Victory over the enemy may mean pain, suffering, and death, which is depicted here in the saints who overcame the Antichrist through their martyrdom. Though we must be determined to live for Christ, we should be unhesitant to die for Christ. If not, we are merely sunshine soldiers hoping to get to Heaven the easiest way possible. Christ never said all would be martyred for Him, but all would be witnesses for Him.
What About the Innocents?
In any conflict, innocent civilians become casualties. Terrorists hide behind the innocent to gain their goals and demonize their enemies, when civilians are harmed. Who are the innocents? If governments do not prioritize the protection of the innocent in their battle against terrorism, then they lose the support of those protecting the innocent. When either side focuses solely upon the utter destruction of the other, then the innocent inescapably become casualties. Again, who do either side — or, the world — deem to be the innocent? If both sides are unrelenting, then the question remains, What price is God willing to pay? “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah [probably, er-Ram, three miles north of Jerusalem], lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel [Rachel] weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not” (Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:18 KJV).
We Need A Miracle 