This is love: not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent the only Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (I John 4:10)

Jesus made it abundantly clear that left no doubt that following Him faithfully might very well demand of most some personal sacrifices, and to many even the supreme sacrifice of death itself. Historically this has been true throughout the history of the church. The pages of the past run red with the blood of martyrs who have been called upon to renounce their beliefs in Jesus Christ or be slaughtered; most have chosen the latter.

Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, was taken by Roman guards to be put to death for his leading of the church. He invited them to share in a feast prior to his execution and upon the completion of the meal, he asked that he be allowed to pray for one hour. The guards overheard his prayers and were brought to repentance through it and as a result, they refused to carry out the orders of execution.

Others came and took Polycarp before the proconsul who ordered him to be burned at the stake. Prior to his execution he was offered one last chance to deny Christ, and his response was, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and he never once wronged me. How then shall I blaspheme the One who has saved me?”

In today’s society, such executions are few and far between, at least in the western world, but many of us are still called to sacrifice. We may be called upon by God to forgo or give up a position which would require us to compromise our faith, or to end a relationship we desire because of a partner who challenges our beliefs in God. When we are challenged in these ways, may we have the strength and courage to stand firm on the promises of God. “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past—only what’s done for Christ will last!”

God of Infinite Wisdom, may our lips never be silent, under any conditions, if silence means a denial of our faith and trust in You!