Suffering For What You Value

They could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Revelation 13:17

A world that ignores God is a world that rejects Christians. In the eyes of the world, the only thing worse than a Christian who lives like Christ is a Christian who doesn’t live like Christ.

When John writes of the mark of the beast, he speaks of the unholy fraternity that confronts Christians. F. B. Meyer shares two resolutions for you to consider as a person devoted to Christ.

WALK WITH F. B. MEYER
“Christians are finding it increasingly difficult to carry on their businesses without adopting a lower standard than that of the sanctuary.

“Yet Christians must resolve that they will not trifle with their consciences, but will obey the law of Christ in all respects. For everyone there is an inevitable choice to be made and maintained, whether a clear conscience or a fortune is to hold first place in their business careers.

“Second, they must be content to bear poverty as part of the cross of Christ. We admire and canonize martyrs, but are strangely unwilling to face the disgrace of poverty, the dens and caves of the earth, which they endured for principle. Our religion will cost us something, or we may fairly question its vitality and worth. What one will not suffer for, one does not value.”

WALK CLOSER TO GOD
If it might cost you your livelihood to take a stand for your living Lord, would you be swayed in your commitment? Consider:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

“Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:33).

Dare to obey Christ—regardless of the cost—and he will give you a contentment and confidence no earthly profession can supply.