Nobody worries about Christ as long as he can be kept shut up in churches. He is quite safe inside. But there is always trouble if you try and let him out. — G. A. Studdert Kennedy
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Revelation 14:12 NLT This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
I don’t know if you have been paying attention, but it appears today that while everyone and everything is “coming out of the closet” or is acceptable to do, see or have, Believers in Christ are being dismissed, ridiculed and in some places arrested, if not physically attacked.
We are being told that the Doctrine of Jesus Christ is no longer “politically correct” and/or closed-minded and not accepting to everyone. We are accused of being intolerant, non-inclusive, weak-minded, delusional and “just not keeping up with the times.” I have heard that talking about Jesus is for Sunday’s and at church only. The Gospel has no place at work, in our schools, in our government, etc. And we wonder why our society is facing the things we are today.
The funny thing is, no where in the Bible did it say that the preaching of the Gospel was widely accepted by society. Unless the Holy Spirit was prominently involved, the preaching of Jesus was always met with resistance.
Does this reality mean that we are to run back into our safe stain-glassed sanctuaries and be content on Sunday mornings, believing that we are serving God and furthering His Kingdom? In my humble opinion, I don’t think so.
The Bible states in Acts: After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. – Acts 14:22-23 NLT
And Peter tells us that: Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!..” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. – 1 Peter 4:12-116,19 NLT
As I have commented in several morning devotionals, I can’t blame society, satan, the government, atheists or anyone else for the condition and state of our homes, work-places, schools, communities or even this nation. I continue to look in the mirror and ask myself, am I doing what Jesus would do? Am I saying what Jesus would say? Am I living with the purpose and for the purpose that Jesus lived?
Jesus made a difference in the world that continues today, although that difference has become harder and harder to see. He suffered greatly so that you and I could sit comfortably in our pews each week and show the world what the church is all about. Or did He??
No, I think He knew that following Him would not be comfortable. That the journey to follow Him would be wrought with suffering and persecutions. Jesus never stopped His ministry to “set up church” and sit. Neither did His disciples. So why do we feel it shouldn’t be this way?
Now I know I will be accused of bashing the church…yet again, but that is not my point. I’m trying to encourage us, the Church, to be about God’s business, not ours.
I’ll stop here and end with this: Is the Church that Christ is returning for one that has been reduced to Sunday morning services in a comfortable, air-conditioned building or a church filled and operating in the power and might of the Holy Spirit that can and will make a difference in the world today? A Church that will indeed be persecuted and may have to suffer, but will do so for the glory of God.
Which one are you?