Are You Willing To Suffer For The Gospel?
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:12-16)
Today’s Morsel: How far are you willing to go for what you believe in? We continue to hear that as the world grows worse and worse; the church will soon begin to suffer persecution from it. Therefore, we must settle it in our minds how far we are willing to go for the gospel. The early church was willing to suffer for the name of Christ and the gospel. Paul encouraged Timothy: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” (2 Timothy 1:7-11) He calls for us to be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Paul’s words are a reminder to us to be bold and not allow fear of persecution or social shame to stop us from proclaiming the truth of the gospel and our faith. Peter also encourages us to not think it strange when we are persecuted for Christ and the gospel, but to rejoice because we are becoming a part of Christ’s suffering. So, how far are you willing to go?
Sing: Temptations hidden snares often take us unawares, and our hearts are made to bleed for each thoughtless word or deed; and we wonder why the test, when we try to do our best, but we’ll understand it better by and by.
By and by when the morning comes, all the saints of God are gathering home, we will tell the story how we’ve overcome, we will understand it better by and by.
Thought For Today: Sometimes it’s the persecutions that strength your faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment