Suffering for Christ’s Sake

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Are you willing to risk everything for the sake of the Gospel?

Let me tell you a story. There was a great missionary. Once saved, his life was focused solely on reaching the world with the Good News- no matter what the cost. During his ministry, he was stoned, jailed, tortured, shipwrecked, and eventually beheaded. All for the sake of the Good News of Jesus Christ! This is the story of the Apostle Paul- author of much of the New Testament, and passionate evangelist.

Most of us are not called to that place of ultimate sacrifice. So why do we still let fears and insecurities keep us from sharing our faith? Paul had reason to fear for his life, and yet he continued sharing Christ all the more.

In fact, Paul writes in Romans, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Most of us will never encounter the kind of hardship that Paul experienced and yet were afraid of something as little as ridicule or rejection.

Today, dont step back. Dont back down. Share your faith, regardless of the cost. Its worth it.

Arguing vs. Loving

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Sometimes in our zeal for sharing the Good News, we forget something. We forget that ultimately God is in control of everything! This is not to say that we dont need to tell people about Jesus, but it might change how we tell them. I love the quote, “No one ever became a Christian because they lost an argument.”

We are commanded by God to share the Good News with the world. But ultimately, the results are in Gods control – not ours. You can make a flawless argument. But, when it comes down to it, the Holy Spirit still has to change the persons heart!

Do not use this reliance on God as an excuse to get lazy, however. Instead, find it empowering! If you know that God is in control, it keeps you humble and gives you courage. Do your part, and God will use you mightily! In the book of Romans, Paul writes that, “Gods kindness leads you toward repentance.”

Remember to show a lost friend Gods kindness as you share the Good News. Lovingly share the truth with friends and then rest because God is in control and He knows exactly what Hes doing!

Religion vs. Jesus

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When Jesus hung on the cross for our sins, He cried, “It is finished.” Ive found that many followers of Jesus are robbed of their joy, because they dont truly believe that one verse.

If followers of Jesus truly believed that Jesus finished what none of us could, they would live differently. You know, someone may be very religious, yet not know Jesus at all! Jesus came to free us from “religion”. Righteous deeds are a natural outcome of a love for God, but they are not the source of our salvation.

Jesus did all the work so we wouldnt have to! Sometimes “religion” can be about what we do. But, faith in Jesus Christ is not about what we do – its about what God has done! Instead of relying on yourself, rely on Jesus Christ.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Remember that we are all sinful. Nothing we do is good enough for God. Boast in the Lord Jesus, not in your religious deeds, and you will find true joy, peace and contentment. Once you understand that you cannot earn the grace of God, you will be equipped to reach your world and share this truth with others!