DO YOU BELIEVE ENOUGH?

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence." - Abigail Adams

My over 70 years old friend - Mma Etuk; that's what her children called her - said to me sometime, "Son, the only prayer I pray now is, 'Lord, teach me how to follow you foolishly'". I was awed by that statement for many reasons. One of which was the fact that she was old, and the other was because she'd been a diligent follower of Jesus from an early age. She could die for the gospel's sake. I was amazed.

Thomas Hawkes was born in Essex, England. He later entered into the service of the Lord of Oxford. After the death of Edward VI, instead of changing his religious beliefs to that of Queen Mary's, Hawkes left his service and returned home. After returning home Hawkes' wife gave birth to a son. Hawkes refused to have the boy baptized according to Catholic tradition and was reported to the Earl of Oxford. He was sent by the earl to Bishop Bonner of London where he answered to the charge of contempt of the sacraments. On February 9, 1555 he was condemned as a heretic. Days before Hawkes was to be burned at the stake he agreed with his friends that he would lift his hands over his head if the pain was tolerable and his mind was at peace. When he was engulfed in flames and most people thought him to be dead, Hawkes suddenly raised his burning hands above his head and clapped three times. Those who understood this gesture broke into shouts of praise and applause as Thomas Hawkes sank into the fire and died.
We're told in the scriptures to "...work out our salvation with fear and trembling". Jesus paid the price, yes. But it is our responsibility to work out that sacrifice. How much do you believe in the Salvation you have? Suicide bombers believe so much in "a lie" that, they are willing to blow themselves up and kill others, for a "false truth". What about you? For whom Christ died. How much faith do you have in God, and the finished work of Salvation.

We have played "Church" too long, it's time we leave religion and embrace our faith...without faith it is impossible to please God. Hawke's faith, was so strong he counted being burnt at the stake nothing; compared to Christ's gospel. What would you do if push comes to shove? Will you back out like many others did, or will you be willing to be burned at the stake? Think about it. Selah