Unto Death

Unto Death
by Pete Berardi

Philippians 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

People have hardships, trials and tribulations. The life that people lead and attempt to lead is not an easy road. Jobs are lost, investments decline, accidents occur. Sometimes the troubles that people have seem so much to bear that people need counseling or become severely depressed. Much of this stress occurs because of the intensity that people strive for betterment of life and acquisition of material possessions. People seem to never have enough; it’s as if they always want more out of life no matter how much they already have.

The Bible states that the love of the world is enmity with God. The lust of the eyes and the pride of life is what cause people to strive for status, money, material possessions, power and more. People don’t seem to realize that what they are really striving for is inner peace which can only be attained by having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived a simple life. In fact, he lived a life of poverty. He was born in a manger and worked as a carpenter. For most of his adult life he had no certain dwelling place and ate when he could. This kind of life certainly is not what most people strive for, however true obedience to Jesus leads exactly to this kind of life. Most people would balk at even missing one meal let alone not having a place to live. Jesus on the other hand was obedient to his Father to the extent that it got him killed.

How many people would stand up for their beliefs past the point of being executed? I say not many. I dare to say that many of us would forsake our beliefs because of some ridicule let alone torture and death. Would it really be so bad if we were forced to miss a meal every now and so that someone else could have one? Is it too much to ask to sacrifice a tenth of our income so that churches that preach the gospel and provide for the sick and needy can survive? Would it kill us to do without so that we can help others?

Jesus was obedient to his Father unto death. I doubt that there are many things, especially here in America, which would get us killed for Christ’s sake. I pledge that the next time we have an opportunity to sacrifice on account of obedience to the Bible, we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us.