Remember dodge ball, that seemingly innocent game we played in elementary
school? Where a group of kids were placed in a circle and the others surrounded
them rolling balls towards them trying hit them and take them out? I wonder if
they still play that today in our politically correct schools? But do you
remember WAR, where in Jr. High we split into two teams, with volleyballs placed
in the middle, and then when the whistle blew we ran to them and picked them up,
throwing them to hit the other team? And at a time where a teenaged hand could
palm it, they could be thrown with great velocity, trying to inflict pain on
whoever you hit. But if they caught it, then you would go out, until like the
lucky checker making it all the way across the board, you could come back in
when your team mates caught one they threw-the checker that had been jumped now
came back as a king. And as the teams got smaller through elimination, it came
down to the last man standing, and being pummeled by multiple balls, and the
remaining team winning, and then we started all over again. And this game was a
staple in Jersey schools, where on rainy days, what else was there in Jersey,
your gym class stayed in and this is what you did. Ridding yourself of all
aggression, leaving with bruises, red marks, and floor burns-wishing gym period
had lasted longer. Why didn’t we have this much fun in science-maybe let us
smash a few atoms?
A similar game, but not using balls, was called GORILLA! In our
neighborhood you could usually gather 10-12 guys easily, and one would stand in
the middle, he was “it”, and the rest ran at him, while he would try to tackle
one. And as they were tackled, they joined in on the tackling, until one last
kid standing would run across and be gang tackled by all-think of it as an 11 to
1 disadvantage both in the beginning and the end. Bloody noses, bruised, and
tired, it was fun, and one ever wanted to be the first one to quit. Some would
play king of the hill, fun but not enough hitting, Red Rover, I think the girls
played this, but for us it was GORILLA! And for us on rainy gym class days
WAR. Right to the end where only one man standing was left, and then to the
showers and off to class, or repeated until the period ended. And we all tried
to be the last man standing, even though the punishment could be harsh. To the
victor belongs his bruises...what games do you remember?
Every time you take a stand for something you become a target of those who
don’t agree with you. And so it was with the 12 Apostles of Jesus. But a
strange thing happened, that whenever Christians got persecuted, Christianity
spread, and the more persecuted, the faster and more reaching it was. But yet
all 12 apostles were to die a horrible death, and all not as martyrs. Judas
took his own life, hanging on a tree, then falling to earth, his guts bursting
out. But for the others, not as simple. Peter, the tough guy who once was
intimidated by a teenage girl who accused him of being with Jesus, was crucified
upside down, claiming he was not fit to be killed like his savior. James was
put to death a day before Passover. Andrew who was known for bringing people to
Jesus, was put to death, by crucifixion. Bartholomew and Phillip’s deaths are
unknown. Matthew lived many years and penned a gospel, becoming a missionary
and dying in Ethiopia. Thomas, anything but a doubter, started churches in
India that still exist today, and was killed by a lance, and his death is both
celebrated in India and Persia. James Alpheus was stoned and beaten with clubs
until his brains gushed out. No word on Simon the Canaanite, and it is said
that Jude was martyred in Persia. Finally John the Beloved was boiled in oil,
and when this human french fry didn’t die was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote
the book of Revelation. All these men died for the stand they took on Jesus
Christ, and even Paul, an apostle was beheaded, but like the others after taking
the gospel to everywhere they went.
Do you have what it takes to be a Christian? Jesus told us to take up our
cross and follow Him, and for those that do, heaven awaits. But that doesn’t
mean an easy life. Do not believe the lie that all will be perfect, someday it
will, but expect to lose friends, be the butt of jokes, and be singled out like
the last kid in war or GORILLA! This is no dodge ball game where threats are
rolled out at you, they are slings and arrows meant to hurt and kill, just like
they did to Jesus. Consider the risk, and even more consider the risk if you
don’t choose Jesus. Are you willing to become a target for Jesus, to take a
stand for Him, to risk being the last man standing? If you are, consider the
eternal rewards, and as many today are martyred worldwide for the faith, one
killed every six seconds, think about your witness for Jesus Christ? Are you
showing enough love to invite aggression from the enemy? Are your actions and
attitudes done in love so that others will want that special thing you can only
have in Jesus? Or do they wonder about your words because they don’t match your
actions? Is there enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?
The first shall be last, and the last shall be first, we are told in
scripture. But those who are stuck in-between, going either way and never
taking a stand, are repulsive to God, He vomits them out of His mouth. Is all
your life in Christ have to show is puke? Take a stand for Christ today. Show
love, compassion, and forgiveness. Just like He did. Share, don’t preach or
force the gospel on anyone, but share in love, be the witness the apostles were,
and be willing to share His love even unto death. Which you will never
experience, as heaven awaits. Are you willing to live enough for Christ on
earth so you can live with Him in heaven? Or are we like Peter, who was afraid
of a teenage girl’s accusations? Hs anyone accused you of being a Christian
lately? We are at war, but we have won, yet battles remain to be fought for the
souls of others. That one last man standing who hasn’t heard the gospel yet.
Will you be the one? Or are you the one not having heard the gospel yet?
Politically or spiritually correct, which do you want to be? Either way
you are taking a stand...are you wiling to be the last man standing for
Christ?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com