Monday 3-15-10

Luke 22:63-65

"63 ¶  And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

64  And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

65  And many other things blasphemously spake they against him."

What kind of gospel do I preach? When persecution comes what kind of gospel will I preach? Jesus was mocked for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was spit upon for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was beat for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was lied about for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was slapped and humiliated for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was brutally tortured for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was horrifically murdered for living and preaching the gospel. 

I by no means seek persecution for faith in Jesus Christ. But I do expect it to come, Jesus warns us about it in Matthew 5. He says we are blessed when others revile us, persecute us, and say all manner of evil against us. I honestly do not get why most Christians are content to live nominal lives and never proclaim an offensive gospel. May I never grow content with a "peace-time" mentality and not pick up my cross and follow hard after Jesus Christ. But wherever I go, may I live a life which there is no explanation for except that I be a follower of Jesus Christ. May by God's grace I stand firm the face of persecution, not relenting or recanting, but rather boldly proclaiming Christ's death and love. May I be one who can die for Christ, because I live daily for him!

May grace be with you,