Deep Convictions of Martyrs and Laborers

Understanding Conviction and Martyrdom

Conviction is deep seated belief that is unshaken, premised on which uncompromisingly an individual will build his life.

Martyrdom is the experience of great sacrifice often times to the degree of death for the sake of a thing a man believes in.

The presence of the faith of a martyr does not necessarily mean a man will be martyred. It only means his convictions are so strong that if there is any situation to be martyred, he will not run away from such event.

If we as Christians will make the kind of impact that Jesus required us to make in this world, we must carry that deep conviction of a martyr.

Esther's Martyr Conviction

"Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4:16 NKJV)

Esther had a martyr's conviction. It is not the result that matters but the conviction that if I perish doing the will of God, so be it.

The Principle of Losing Life to Save It

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:35 NKJV)

John is the only apostle of Jesus that did not die a violent death.

Six Spheres of Martyrdom

1. Physical Martyrdom

Being killed for one's faith in a place.

2. Career Martyrdom

Sacrificing your career because of unwavering commitment to your conviction rather than compromising. Many Christians are where they should have left in the name of career.

3. Social Martyrdom

You cannot build your ministry based on the fame or popularity gotten from the world. One of the proofs of your conviction is the martyrdom of your social status in the world as an unbeliever.

4. Religious Martyrdom

[Note: This sphere was mentioned but not elaborated in the source material]

5. Relational Martyrdom

You must die to some relationships based on the knowledge of the truth you now have in Jesus Christ.

6. Financial Martyrdom

You must learn to say NO to some offers.

Overcoming Fear Through Conviction

Do not let the fear of death stop you from doing the will of God. Do not let the fear of being seen as a nobody stop you from doing the will of God.

There is a common end for everybody regardless of the status of such person now. Everyone will eventually die and meet with Him.

Your obedience may not lead to suffering but if you do not have that conviction, you will be restricted from doing what you should do for God. It will be difficult to do God's will.

You need the conviction to do what you need to do in spite of what stands in your way.

Paul's Example of Unwavering Conviction

"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:22-24 NKJV)

It is not the event that is our concern but rather what is happening inside him that despite all the painful suffering, he continued in the will of God.

Paul's Catalog of Sufferings

"From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NKJV)

A Prayer for Steadfast Conviction

Lord, help me not to give up on my tasks because of difficulty, because of pain. I will not be a slave of convenience, pleasure, and survival in Jesus name.

Conclusion

Deep convictions of martyrs and labourers are essential for making the impact Christ requires in this world. Whether facing physical, career, social, relational, or financial martyrdom, we must possess the unwavering faith that says "if I perish doing God's will, so be it." Like Esther and Paul, our convictions must be stronger than our comfort, enabling us to finish our race with joy regardless of the challenges we face.