DRAWING NEAR
August 11
Martyrdom Without Love
"If I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it
profits me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3).
Wrong motives rob even the greatest sacrifice of its spiritual
benefit.
So far in his denunciation of loveless ministries, Paul has addressed
what we say, what we know, what we believe, and how we give. Now he
comes to the apex of his argument: how we die. Many Christians have
made the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom, but even that is useless
without love.
In Paul's time, many slaves were branded with a hot iron to identify
them as belonging to their master. For that reason, some interpreters
believe Paul was referring to becoming a slave when he spoke of
delivering his body to be burned (1 Cor. 13:3). Others think he was
speaking of burning at the stake--a death that many Christians
suffered at the hands of their persecutors.
Although death by burning wasn't a common form of persecution until
after Paul wrote to the Corinthians, I believe that's what he had in
mind in this passage. In verses 1-2 he used extremes to make his
point: speaking with the tongues of angels; knowing all mysteries and
knowledge; having all faith, and giving all one's possessions to feed
the poor. The horrible, agonizing pain associated with death by fire
is consistent with those extremes.
Jesus called martyrdom the highest expression of love (John 15:13).
But it isn't always a godly or loving thing to do. Many people have
died for lesser reasons. You may recall stories of the Japanese
kamikaze pilots of World War II, or more recently of monks or
students who burned themselves in protest of some political or social
injustice.
Even Christians aren't exempt from wrong motives. It is reported that
many Christians in the early church developed a martyr complex,
wanting to die for the faith so they could become famous like the
martyrs before them. Many deeds that look sacrificial on the surface
are really the products of pride.
If the ultimate sacrifice is useless without love, so is every lesser
sacrifice. But love sanctifies them all. So let God's love govern
everything you do!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Memorize Romans 5:8 as a reminder to praise God for the many
sacrifices He has made for you.
For Further Study:
Read Revelation 2:1-7.
What strengths did the church in Ephesus have? What did the
Lord say about its one glaring weakness?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 15:13
13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life
for his friends.
Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us.
Revelation 2:1-7
2:1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says
He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot
bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are
apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for
My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your
first love.
5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the
first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your
lampstand from its place; unless you repent.
6 "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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