When people are facing huge challenges in any task or relationship, most ask intuitively, "Is it really worth it?"
When people are facing huge challenges in any task or relationship, most ask intuitively, "Is it really worth it?"
I've always been one who resists that question when it comes to my faith in Jesus. It seems to me that we should trust and follow Jesus simply because He is the truth. I've never thought that our main question should be, "What do I get out of it?" If Jesus is God, I should believe in Him. If I don't believe that Jesus is the savior and Son of God the Bible says he was, I should allow no reward or personal gain to induce me to say that he was. And, I've always thought that trying to get people to become Christians simply by telling them what they'll get out of it is something that may not lead to genuine faith at all.
And yet, when we read the Bible, Jesus didn't balk nearly as much as I do at the idea of saying that there are benefits in becoming a Christian. And especially, when it comes to persecuted Christians, we find Jesus saying, "Count the cost—but the cost is worth it."
And that's what we'll see this weekend as we turn to Jesus' memo to a group of Christians who lived in a city once called "Philadelphia." Theirs was a persecuted church. Jesus would describe them as people who have "little strength." Apparently, the church wasn't made up of political, business, or intellectual leaders. It didn't have the captain of the football team or the prom king and queen of the school. But Jesus did not have one word of criticism against them. Instead, Jesus said about them, "You have endured patiently." In the face of pressure, He said, "You have kept my word and not denied my name."
But Jesus knew that the strain of facing difficulties was becoming a major burden. I imagine that some of these faithful believers were asking, "Is it worth it? The difficulties in being a Christian at work. The stress on our families. The threats to our lives." Those were the struggles they were facing at the end of the first century. And what Jesus took time to do was encourage them. He told them why it's worth it to be faithful to him.
This weekend, we will look at what Jesus said. His words will force us to examine our values. In other words, we will have to ask whether we really want what Jesus promises. Personally, I find his promises deeply fulfilling and motivating. Read Revelation 3:7–13 and see whether they encourage you. I am praying that they will.
To His Glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor
