When you think of total commitment to Jesus Christ, what do you think of? Not succumbing to lie or alter documents for your boss at work? Being willing to stick to your Christian principles in the face of losing your job? Losing a relationship you deeply cherish because you will not compromise your Christian values? These all demand a commitment to Christ, but the ultimate total commitment to Christ comes when you must give up your earthly life because of your love for the Savior.
Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John, was burned at the stake in Smyma in A.D. 155. He had been a Christian for 86 years. When the proconsul told him to deny his faith, Polycarp answered, “86 years I have served him, and He has done me no harm. Why should I forsake Him now?” The proconsul then threatened to cast him in with the wild beasts, but Polycarp answered, “Call then!” He was then warned that he might be burned at the stake. Even that failed to move him. He responded, “You threaten me with fire which burns only for a moment, but you are ignorant of the fire of eternal judgment, reserved for the ungodly.” These are Polycarp’s last words: “O Father of Thou beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ! I bless Thee that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day, and of this hour, to receive my portion in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Christ.” Yes, Polycarp considered it a high honor to be counted among the martyrs for Jesus Christ.
How can you have such an attitude? How can you consider that death is better than life? How can you think that it is better to die to be with the Lord in heaven, than to live among friends and family on earth? Scripture answers these questions, as Paul describes his view of his earthly pilgrimage, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
The ultimate total commitment to Christ is when, if need be, you give up your life on earth for your faith in the Lord.
