How far are you willing to go?
If I may make a suggestion; read a chapter a day from the book of Acts, it has 31 chapters for 31 days and on the 30 day months you can read two chapters ;) But this is such a profound book of the Bible and has completely captivated me. I was reading the story of a man named Stephen who happened to be the first man martyred for the cause of Christ.
His story begins in chapter 6 and ends with his death by stoning in chapter 7. He preached fervently and passionately the story of Grace and Redemption, the story of Jesus. The Bible says Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and this precious soul died claiming the same words of Christ when He was on the cross; Acts 7:59-60 captures the last words of this dying man, “’Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’. Then he fell to his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.”
How much do you care how others portray you? Are you afraid to talk about Christ and His story of redemption? A lot of Christians say they would give up their life for Christ, but how many of us actually would be willing to go that far? When we are in crowds and Jesus is brought up; but being mocked, do you have the guts to defend His glory? Beloved Christians when you’re with a group of family or friends and they are cursing and drinking like a sailor, do you have enough conviction to say, “This isn’t where I should be, I’m going to leave”? Do you have enough conviction when you’re in a place/position with a man or woman who isn’t your spouse to say, “NO I am going to wait till marriage?” Spouses, parents, daughters, sons, friends, when you have wronged someone, will you apologize first to set the example or let your pride hinder your forgiveness?
You see Stephen was a follower of Christ, a preacher of the Word of God when people considered the Gospel unpopular. What an example, a man who kept pushing on till the very end of his last breath (LITERALLY). He was faced with opposition, told to stop speaking the name of Jesus, but Stephen said no continued confessing Jesus as Savior.
Do you know why I think Stephen wasn’t afraid to share the story of Jesus? He knew people were in desperate need of a Savior and Jesus is the One and only who could purify all people’s heart. He knew this life on earth wasn’t it and Christ had a mansion prepared in heaven waiting for him. Best of all, the Lord God was going to be there to welcome him when he arrived. His blessing was not on this earth, but in heaven. So I ask, why are we ashamed of the Gospel? People God CHANGES lives! Christ gives us everything we need and more when we are obedient to Him. Why wouldn’t God Almighty, the Most High God want to bless His children?
We are not so much more different than Stephen. You see, we have liberals screaming for people to stop talking about Jesus. They want to ruin Christmas because it is about who…you guessed it CHRIST! I think it is really great that we have tea parties to “take back America”, but by golly, we Christians need to be rallying and organizing to say, this is ONE NATION UNDER GOD and you can’t silent us about Christ! No more should we be pushed and bullied by the godless. Are we too afraid of how the media will treat us? Too afraid of how people will look at us because we believe Jesus is Lord and Savior? I don’t know what is stopping us, but I will say this; we need more Stephens in our world. Who are willing to stand up for the cause of Christ; preaching, proclaiming the name of Jesus, no matter the end result. Paul said in Philippians 1:27, “What ever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
I love the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” Our cause and purpose in life is Christ, but if we die, our gain is to be in eternity with Christ in heaven. Come on, can a sister get an Amen or what? :D
Remember, don’t hate those who persecute you, but pray for them continually.
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