Saints Flags

Posted by anointedplace on December 21, 2009 · 2 Comments 

Image by TRAFFIK [US] via Flickr

I live in central Texas now after relocating from southeast Louisiana sometime after hurricane Katrina. So I find myself in Cowboys country ( the Dallas Cowboys) surrounded on the eve of the Cowboys vs. the Saints in New Orleans. Unfortunately the Saints lost and I’m still flying my flags on the car. While sitting at a red light a thought crossed my mind. First of all, how many people are looking at me thinking; losers cause of the game or what a true fan cause of the game. Then something deeper hit my heart. For months I have been riding around the city of Austin flying these flags in the midst of people who oppose me. I have let it be know what side of the fence I stand. When everyone else will say that I was crazy I stood behind my choice. As Christians we are to stand boldly by Christ. We should stand by our cross and proclaim the Gospel even when all around us the opposition stands ready to kill us. But can we continue to stand even when we lose or seem to be defeated? Peter denied Christ three times when it seem that Jesus was defeated. Many Christians stood their ground and faced death. Would you or could you die for Christ. In the face of the enemy who will say; “were is your God now? ask Him to save you now?” could you say let the will of my God be done?

There are layers of meaning in the phrase bear witness. It includes 1) speaking the truth of God as no man ever spoke; 2) being the truth of God in his person; 3) dying to establish the truth about God; and 4) sending us as the Father sent him to bear witness to the truth, both in speaking and dying.

Here are layers 3 and 4:

3. Dying to Establish the Truth

Third, not only was the Son of God born to bear witness to the truth by speaking the truth and being the truth, but also by dying to establish the truth. The Greek word for witness (martus) became the word for martyr because dying for what you stand for is the ultimate witness to it. So in Revelation, Jesus is called “The Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). This witness is thought of in terms of his death, resurrection, and reign as King of kings. For example, look at the sequence in Revelation 1:4-5, “Grace to you and peace from . . . Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:4-5). Notice the order: first, death (faithful witness), then resurrection (firstborn from the dead), then rule over all kings. He was born to witness to truth in the greatness of the achievement of his death.

4. Sending Us to Witness to the Truth

Finally, he was born to bear witness to the truth, not just in the thirty-three years of his life on earth, but in all the time on earth till he comes again. That he is why he says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The church is called “a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The message we bring to the world is called “the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). And when judgment comes, the condemned will be those who “did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

~Pastor John Piper

The thought of waving the blood stained banner proudly in the midst of adversity. When everyone around you see you as losing the battle but when the Saints of the Lord; knowing that the trumpet had not yet sounded because God is the author and finisher and for His glory do we fight on. Are you rooted in Christ enough to stand for Him when even family will talk about you? Do you wear and bear your cross not to be seen but for Him to be seen? Are you a fair weather fan and as long as the blessings are flowing in you are on team Jesus? Do you rejoice when things don’t look good? Can you rejoice in what has already been established; which is your eternal home in heaven? Think about it why do you do what you do? When your banner is beaten, wore out and battle scared do they still see Christ abiding in you?

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