Francis Spira

Born 1502 – Died 1548

An Italian named Francis Spira died of despair. Formerly God had used Spira to spread Protestant ideas all over the country. He was not however prepared to lay his whole life before the Cross, he was not ready to leave everything and follow Jesus. Soon he faced persecution because of his preaching of Christ’s name. When he was given the choice to recant or leave his country and his wealth, he chose to keep his wealth and lose his Saviour. It was his love of money that caused him to deny Christ. 

Out of fear for his wealth and his family Spira recanted ‘Protestantism’ and returned to the Church of Rome. Because of this, Spira was convinced that God had forsaken him and his sin could not be forgiven. He saw his fault as a sin against the Holy Spirit. On his return home after his denial he heard the Spirit reproach him for his faithlessness. After his trial and subsequent denial of Christ, he fell into great depression and physical struggle. During this time, although many tried to bring him out of his despair, Francis Spira argued for his own damnation. Soon Francis Spira died.

The story of Francis Spira brought terror to the already doubting John Bunyan and led him to write of his thoughts at that time, “It is too late, I am lost, God hath let me fall-not to my correction, but to my condemnation. My sin is unpardonable.” Bunyan feared that his sin also might be ‘too big’ for Jesus death to cover and that he was unpardonable. Although both Spira and Bunyan used Scriptures as a basis for their depression they did not see the many verses that promise that God’s mercy is enough to cover all of our sins. We need not despair.

Treasure the Word

It is important to read and know the Bible because if we do not know what the Bible says, how will we recognise our sin? If we do not read it how will we receive the encouragement it offers? If we do not learn what it says, how will we grow? Store up the God’s Word in your heart that you might not sin against him. 

John Bunyan wrote, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” Likewise, if we do not come to God in prayer and study his word in the morning, surely we will cease to come to him at all. John Bunyan saw the Bible as the flawless Word of God. In his book, Grace Abounding, he quotes many verses.

Because Bunyan was convinced of the Truth of the Gospel and he was deeply affected by what he read in the Bible, verses either brought him joy, hope and encouragement, or fear, sorrow and despair. As he says, “I went on quite a while in the light and encouragement of these words…” The Bible was precious to him.

Continuing on, Bunyan says that verses “were especially a comfort to me when I thought that the Lord Jesus has spoken them on purpose for my sake.” When Bunyan looked at scripture verses out of context they made him discouraged. It was only much later when he looked at their context that he understood what they meant. When he saw this he was hopeful again.

He knew scripture well; often he records how verses came to his mind. Bunyan thought it profitable for Christians to be often recalling how God began his work of grace within them. Bunyan quotes Bible verses in Grace Abounding more than 100 times and even when he does not quote verses he often alludes to Bible passages and shows parallels between his life and stories and people in the Bible. 

Bunyan learnt the importance and value of God’s Word. How well do you know your Bible? Have you stored up the treasure of God’s Word in your heart? Are you living in the freedom it brings? Do you meditate on its message in the night? As Bunyan said, “Remember also the Word – The Word, I say, upon which the Lord has caused you to hope.”

St Patrick ~ In the Face of Opposition

Though he was persecuted, he was protected. 

Though he suffered, he trusted. 

Though Satan tried to quench him, Christ raised him up.

How could Patrick keep going through the difficulties of his ministry? Was it that he did not face opposition? Patrick faced threats and beatings, poisoning and back-biting, and yet he pressed on. As is remembered on St Patrick’s Day, he went to preach freedom to the Irish who had held him as a slave and endured by the courage provided by the Lord.

Patrick did not see himself as worthy to be used by the Lord to reach the people or Ireland. However God has chosen to use the weak in the world to shame the strong. It is with a message of foolishness that he saves the sinners. “His strength is made perfect in our weakness.” God gave Patrick courage to keep going even when he was afraid. He was provided with strength in the face of struggles.

Growing up, Patrick’s father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest. Patrick did not follow their teaching. Early on, his struggles, trials and suffering were because of his unbelief – God used them to draw him to the Rescuer. When he was 16, Patrick was captured in an Irish raid along the coast of Britain. During his 6 years as a slave in Ireland he called upon the name of the Lord and began to pray daily.  After that time God provided him with a way of escape. Patrick returned to his home in Britain where he had long been thought dead. 

Then Patrick had a vision. He heard the voice of the Irish; calling him to come and preach the Gospel to them. Despite the advice and warning of many he went back to the place he had been held in slavery to rescue those in slavery to sin, and give them the chance of the true freedom that he had received from the Lord. When people tried to discourage him from going to preach the Gospel to the Irish, Patrick answered them with Jesus command in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So, ready to take affliction for the advance of the Gospel, Patrick left his family and returned to the country of his former captivity. During his ministry in Ireland he sometimes wished to go back and visit his friends and family in Britain and Gaul but did not want to leave the young Christians in their time of persecution. He suffered much under the hands of unjust men. He was persecuted and imprisoned but the Lord provided for his release. He encouraged the new believers not to fear in the face of danger but instead spread God’s name. 

Why was Patrick fearless in his tribulations? Because he had cast his cares upon the Lord and trusted the promise that the Lord would sustain him. Daily he expected to be murdered, betrayed, or reduced to slavery. Through many discouragements and tribulations he continued to labour for the advance of the Gospel. He knew that God had planned everything out in the ages past and whatever befalls, whether good or evil we can trust Him.

Monica ~ Faithful Handmaid

Monica, Augustine’s mother and a faithful follower of Christ, did not cease in her prayer for the salvation of her son. Monica is described as a watchful mother and a pure and prudent widow. Her prayers came daily before the Lord and she adorned her life with good works.

She submitted to her husband while he lived. Because of her Christian influence not only her but also the whole household, except for her husband, believed the gospel. Even though her husband was unfaithful to her she remained faithful. She submitted in all things to her husband who did not try to prevent her from teaching Augustine about God. But by the light of the faith which she received from the Lord, she saw that Augustine was spiritually dead.

Faithful in attending Church, she did not go for idle gossip but to listen to the sermons and to pray. She involved herself in the Church too, blessing many with her good works. Monica went to Church twice a day. Augustine records that she daily entreated the Lord. Like the woman in 1 Timothy 5 she ‘set her hope on God and [continued] in supplications and prayers night and day.’

Men of faith praised her. She was well-known to Bishop Ambrose and another priest said of her desire for the salvation of her son, “Go your way; as you live, it cannot be that the son of these tears should perish.” She clung to the words of the preachers.

God revealed to Monica in a vision that she would see Augustine as a Christian before she died. When she began to realise that Augustine’s heart had started to open to the message of the gospel she was fully confident that the Lord who had promised the whole would give her the rest. Although she had asked the Lord for much in all her prayers and weeping, the Lord blessed her with much more. After Augustine came to faith he praised Monica for her faithfulness.

Even while Augustine was far away from her she continued faithfully in prayer. Even when she could not see him working, Monica trusted God. Worshiping daily at the Church, Monica prayed and wept for the salvation of her son, and the Lord answered her and worked in Augustine’s heart, turning Monica’s grief into gladness.

It is Too Light a Thing

We are not called to earn the status of salvation - it is a free gift to all who believe in the name of Jesus. We have been called to share this salvation and serve others as a testimony to what God has done in our life. We do not do this in our own strength, but the joy of the Lord is our strength. People need to hear the gospel or else how will they be saved? We are a witness to the world in all we do. We bear the name of Christ and I pray that others will be able to see Christ shine through all we do and say.

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." 

Don't try to hide your light, but be a bright light shining on top of a hill in this dark generation. Represent Christ in your daily life by serving heartily (Colossians 3:23), honouring those in authority (1 Peter 2:13-26), rejoicing always (Philippians 4:4), giving cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9), looking to the needs of others, speaking kindly (Matthew 12:33-37), not being anxious but letting your thoughts be on what is true and honourable (Philippians 4:6-9). Go the second mile and be radiant in whatever you do - do it for the glory of God.

Isaiah 49:6

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

God has caused his light to shine upon us and enables us who walk in the light to shine that light before others. Our goal should be that what we do should cause more to give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven. Jesus is Light and he has made his light shine on us - only in his light do we see light. We who were dwelling in darkness have seen a great light. Let your life shine out brightly to all who you meet.

~ Those who look to him are radiant (Psalm 34)
~ And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. (Isaiah 60)
~ Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. (Psalsm 97)
~ [Jesus] “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8)
~ God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1)

John Wycliffe

Morning Star of the Reformation ~ 1324-1384 AD

     Nearly two hundred years before the reformation a man name John Wycliffe was rector of a parish in Lutterworth. He had previously been both a student and a master at Oxford University. Many of Wycliffe’s ideas were like those of Luther, Calvin and other reformers. John Wycliffe devoted himself to the study of the scripture. He considered the Bible as the ultimate authority putting the Church and Pope only of secondary authority.

     Called ‘the Master of Errors,’ John Wycliffe was accused by the Pope of heresy. There were multiple reasons for this charge; John believed the Church should not sell indulgences (get rich through taxes and money paid by the people for 'forgiveness of sin') but rather should follow Christ’s example of poverty and generosity instead of storing up treasure on earth. Wycliffe rejected the Catholic belief of Transubstantiation (the bread and wine becoming the actual body and blood of Christ). He believed in predestination (that before the creation of the world God chose some to have everlasting life, these receive salvation through Christ) and salvation by faith alone (not by works but by believing in Christ Jesus our Lord).

     Wycliffe believed that people should be able read the bible in their native language. At this time the bible was read in Latin (which most people couldn't understand) and even these were not available to the common people. After the Pope confined him to his parish because of his so called heretical teaching, he set his time to translating the bible into English. Just one copy of the bible took ten months to copy out by hand. He made his translation from the Latin text.

     Wycliffe never finished his translation. His friend finished it for him and those who followed in Wycliffe's steps received extreme persecution.The Pope condemned and excommunicated John Wycliffe forty three years after he died; his remains were dug up and burned then the ashes thrown into the river Swift. Just as the river took his remains out to sea so his ideas spread throughout the world. In the 20th century a new mission called themselves 'Wycliffe Bible Translates' and following his example are seeking to translate the scripture into every language so that every person can read the bible in their own tongue. It is estimated that there are more than 2000 languages that have some of the scripture translated into them but there may be still more than 1000 languages with no part of the bible yet translated.

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”

(Revelation 5:9-10)

http://www.britannia.com/bios/jwycliffe.html
http://christianity.about.com/od/Christians-In-History/a/John-Wycliffe.htm
http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/john-wycliffe.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/moversandshakers/wycliffe.html
http://wycliffe.org.au/

Persecuted: Church

Jesus said "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Jesus even said we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness' sake because it shows that we belong to his kingdom

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

We need to be careful and make sure our life does not look the same as anything else that is of the world. If we are not being persecuted in any way or even being different or just having people think we are strange then we have a problem because it says in scripture that ALL who want to live a godly life in Jesus WILL be persecuted. If this is not happening then we have to ask the question of whether we are actually seeking to live a godly life. One thing we have to be careful about is that we don't water down our message to stop it being offensive or to stop people persecuting us or to make it more attractive to the world. 

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. (Galatians 5:11)

Obviously we don't go around trying to offend people but we must not compromise the gospel to try and make it easier for ourselves. The message of Christ is folly to those who are walking in the flesh - we preach Christ crucified - but it is the power of God to those who are being saved. 

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:18-20)

The message of the gospel is most powerful when it is uncompromised because God uses this message to save those he calls but those who he does not call will think it folly anyway. We can press on in the knowledge that Jesus knows our suffering. We are not alone in our suffering - there is nothing we experience that has not been experienced by our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18)

How should we respond to persecution and suffering then? I think we should follow Jesus' example - blessing those who curse us and praying for those who persecute us. It may not be easy but it is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

    Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:18-24)

We do not need to revenge ourselves or others we know because we have been forgiven by the one who judges justly and have assurance of salvation at the day of Jesus Christ. We know that he will judge and he will make the right judgement so we can leave it to him and love those who hate us, praying that they too may receive this eternal treasure. 

 When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

Know that Jesus is still in control and he will never let you go. When we display Christ death in our body he will manifest his life in us. We will not be overcome by those who persecute us - we do not need to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Stand firm - Display Christ - Press On - Don't Compromise