We all like to imagine we will stand up against any persecution we face in the name of Christ. (2 Timothy 3:12) If I am ever tortured for my faith, I want to come through it unbroken, holding fast to the Word of God and the truth of His Son. (Revelation 2:10) I run through scenarios in my mind, hoping to prepare myself for the day I face such persecution in my lifetime.
Of course, none of us can ever know for certain how we will respond under such circumstances, and it’s not something most are comfortable contemplating. I suspect many would not do as well as they think they would. Watching the world continue to spiral down and the growing opposition to Christianity, it’s something we would all do well to consider. (Matthew 24:9–12)
Of all the disciples, Peter was the boldest. He would alternate between saying the most faith-fueled and profound things one minute (Matthew 16:15–17), and the most prideful, idiotic things the next. (Matthew 16:21–23) He was the only disciple to pull his sword and attempt to defend Jesus. His zeal was often misguided, impulsive, and selfish, but you could never accuse him of being passive about following Christ. Imagine the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane. An entire squad of trained soldiers came to arrest Jesus, and Peter, a simple fisherman, launched an offensive against them. (John 18:10) It was suicide, but Peter didn’t care. He would remain unbroken.
Not long after, Peter denied Christ not under the threat of soldiers, but because of peer pressure. (Luke 22:54–57) What a rugged soldier could not do, a simple slave girl did. The great faith of Peter was no match for her verbal accusation. (Luke 22:58–60) Like Peter, most of us would not fare as well as we like to think when we face our moment of truth. In our mind’s eye, we see ourselves with the great saints of old, singing hymns as the flames lick and devour our flesh. We imagine we will never deny Jesus, no matter what. (Matthew 26:33–35)
Here is the harsh reality: few of us get through a month, a week, or even a day without denying Him. (Titus 1:16) Think of the times you stay silent when you should speak or laugh at a joke you know offends the character of our King. (Mark 8:38) We lie, we cheat, and we steal. (Exodus 20:15–16) We lust, covet, and commit adultery in our hearts, if not in our bodies. (Matthew 5:27–28) Brothers and sisters, we are anything but unbroken. (Romans 3:23) The smallest temptation or disapproving word breaks us down in seconds. (James 1:14–15) And yet we think we will hold fast to our faith when facing death or torture? It should be a sobering thought.
What can we do? How can we prepare to stand firm, no matter the cost? (1 Corinthians 16:13) It starts with living what we say. We proclaim Jesus as Lord, but is He? (Luke 6:46) Are we faithful in the little things? If not, everything we have will be taken from us. (Matthew 25:28-30; Luke 8:18) Practice standing firm when it costs you little if you want to stand when your faith might cost you everything. (Luke 16:10)
We cannot do this on our own. (John 15:5) We need the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to remain unbroken. (Acts 1:8) That’s the best news; God promises to help us stand. (Ephesians 6:13; Jude 24-25) Ask Him to help you stand for Him in all circumstances, to never waver, and to never be ashamed. (Romans 10:11; 2 Timothy 1:8) He is faithful in supplying all that we need. (2 Peter 1:3) And so, we must be faithful to proclaim His name and never bow to the pressures of this world. (Romans 1:16; Romans 12:2)