Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. (Ps 63:3)
The apostles certainly believed that. Peter and John rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name (Acts 5:41). James said to count it all joy when we encounter trials (James 1:2). Paul and Silas sang and worshiped in jail (Acts 16:25). They counted the love of God better than life, and their lips did not cease in praising the Lord, no matter how much they suffered. Lord, I will praise you in good times and bad, because your love is better than life.
Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Worthy of Suffering
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41)
I wonder how many of us have fully captured this attitude which the apostles had? Of course, it was a pretty extraordinary time. What had their previous 48 hours looked like? Miracles (v16), jail (v18), miracles (v19), flogging (v40). I see a pattern here. What comes next? Miracles, of course!
But what were they rejoicing about as they left the Sanhedrin? Not the miracles, but the flogging! And not the flogging per se, but rather the fact that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus Christ. They regarded it as a high honor. If I really love Jesus and I am really anxious to see his Truth known and his Name magnified, then being persecuted is a sign I am doing something right. My witness must be having an impact if the enemies of God feel threatened enough to retaliate. And now, the fact that I suffer so little persecution becomes an embarrassment for me. My first instinct is to play it safe, and in so doing I limit the impact I can have for the Gospel. Lord, make me bold!
I wonder how many of us have fully captured this attitude which the apostles had? Of course, it was a pretty extraordinary time. What had their previous 48 hours looked like? Miracles (v16), jail (v18), miracles (v19), flogging (v40). I see a pattern here. What comes next? Miracles, of course!
But what were they rejoicing about as they left the Sanhedrin? Not the miracles, but the flogging! And not the flogging per se, but rather the fact that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus Christ. They regarded it as a high honor. If I really love Jesus and I am really anxious to see his Truth known and his Name magnified, then being persecuted is a sign I am doing something right. My witness must be having an impact if the enemies of God feel threatened enough to retaliate. And now, the fact that I suffer so little persecution becomes an embarrassment for me. My first instinct is to play it safe, and in so doing I limit the impact I can have for the Gospel. Lord, make me bold!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Audience of One
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Pro 29:25)
In my comfortable, safe life I do not fear physical injury from others. My fears are all about embarrassment, rejection and scorn. But in these things, too, whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Certainly I want the good opinion of others. More specifically, I want to deserve the good opinion of others by being the godly man I have been called to be. As long as I have been obedient to that calling I need not fear any hostility and rejection I may encounter, because my reward is the approval of my Master. In that sense I play to an audience of one. Whatever men might say or do, my self worth is based on God’s love for me, which I did nothing to earn and can do nothing to diminish. My trust in God is sure, because God is constant and steadfast. I can trust him never to reject me or condemn me. Jesus suffered the Father's rejection and wrath for my sake. There remains only love. Discipline, to be sure, but always love.
In my comfortable, safe life I do not fear physical injury from others. My fears are all about embarrassment, rejection and scorn. But in these things, too, whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Certainly I want the good opinion of others. More specifically, I want to deserve the good opinion of others by being the godly man I have been called to be. As long as I have been obedient to that calling I need not fear any hostility and rejection I may encounter, because my reward is the approval of my Master. In that sense I play to an audience of one. Whatever men might say or do, my self worth is based on God’s love for me, which I did nothing to earn and can do nothing to diminish. My trust in God is sure, because God is constant and steadfast. I can trust him never to reject me or condemn me. Jesus suffered the Father's rejection and wrath for my sake. There remains only love. Discipline, to be sure, but always love.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Heavenly Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13)
No matter grim our prospects here on earth might seem, we have an eternal hope that far outweighs the suffering of this life. The reason the persecuted church thrives, in fact, may be that those who clearly see they have no hope in this life are set free from it to rejoice in the hope of the life to come. As we trust him for eternity we have joy and peace in the here and now. That hope which we enjoy is from the Holy Spirit, with whom we were sealed as a sign of the certain hope to come. If we also find in this life reasons for hope and rejoicing, we are doubly blessed. And God does pour out blessings here and now, even in the midst of trial. Thank you, Lord!
No matter grim our prospects here on earth might seem, we have an eternal hope that far outweighs the suffering of this life. The reason the persecuted church thrives, in fact, may be that those who clearly see they have no hope in this life are set free from it to rejoice in the hope of the life to come. As we trust him for eternity we have joy and peace in the here and now. That hope which we enjoy is from the Holy Spirit, with whom we were sealed as a sign of the certain hope to come. If we also find in this life reasons for hope and rejoicing, we are doubly blessed. And God does pour out blessings here and now, even in the midst of trial. Thank you, Lord!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Take a Stand
Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired man a maniac. (Hos 9:7b)
Just like in Israel, in our society today sin has become so prevalent and hostility to Christianity so common, that those who stand up publicly for God and biblical truth are considered foolish or insane. This means that if I am worried about what people will think of me I may as well just get over it, because if I stand publicly for the gospel I will face ridicule and hostility. This is just the price to pay for being faithful to God’s calling. But some will listen and be saved. For their sakes, and for the honor and glory of God, I must speak up and be willing to be known as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Just like in Israel, in our society today sin has become so prevalent and hostility to Christianity so common, that those who stand up publicly for God and biblical truth are considered foolish or insane. This means that if I am worried about what people will think of me I may as well just get over it, because if I stand publicly for the gospel I will face ridicule and hostility. This is just the price to pay for being faithful to God’s calling. But some will listen and be saved. For their sakes, and for the honor and glory of God, I must speak up and be willing to be known as a believer in Jesus Christ.
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