Samurai (bushi), Ancient Japan\u2019s military elite, would rather die in battle than get caught and bring dishonor to their master. In some cases, this death would come by their own sword by performing seppuku, a ritual suicide by means of cutting the abdomen not reserved for the Battlefield but not restricted from it either. The Samurai, while following the Bushido, lead a life of respect, honor, loyalty and ethical conduct so falling on their sword was a sign of extreme honor. Or so they said. They were people after all and sometimes people get funny.<\/p>\n
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I don\u2019t know how often Samurai got together to talk things over back then: sitting around the rock garden and sipping on saki tea. Maybe they would talk about good fights they\u2019ve had or what the Merchant Class is up to or maybe, in sibilant whispers share some juicy gossip about their masters. Inevitably, in my dream scenario, they\u2019d look at their Master and consider why they\u2019d fall on their sword for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what if some gaijin went and talked bad about him. Would you do it then?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014I\u2019d just cut off the guy\u2019s tongue. No, I fall on my sword for the essentials.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat are the essentials?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Yeah Christians, what are the essentials of our Christianity? Not the historic branch of your denomination\u2014but what is foundational to The Faith? What would you die for?<\/p>\n Now, I\u2019m not thinking that because we\u2019re willing to die for something that it makes our cause right or justified. Plenty of people have died for bad causes, false causes or no-causes; um that reads wrong. Heck, I\u2019m not even saying it\u2019s wrong to be convicted of things: I\u2019m just wanting us to look at what is fundamental and would you die for it?<\/p>\n The King James Bible is the only Bible: would you die for that? Saved by grace through faith: die worthy? Your understanding of that last bit: die worthy? All of history is divided into dispensations: would you die for that? There was a covenant in the garden: would you die for that? Real wine or grape juice: die worthy? Guitar, pianos or choral: die worthy? Statues and candles\u2026would you die for them? Big stone buildings: Die worthy? Jesus is God manifested in the flesh: die worthy? Your pastor or priest\u2014would you die for him (or her)? Rock music or classical music: die worthy?<\/p>\n