The Gospel will cost you. It might cost you friendships. It could cost you your job. It could even cost you your life.
Somehow, when I read the following passage I don’t think of a better life or prosperity or health or comfort.
This is what the Gospel might cost you.
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods.Once I was stoned.Three times I was shipwrecked;a night and a day I was adrift at sea;26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers,danger from robbers,danger from my own people,danger from Gentiles,danger in the city,danger in the wilderness,danger at sea,danger from false brothers;27 in toil and hardship,through many a sleepless night,in hunger and thirst,often without food,in cold and exposure.28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant
2 Corinthians 11:24-29
As a people who tend to take things in our lives for granted it would seem to this old soul that as Christians we should “expect” persecution rather than the freedom we have enjoyed in this country. According to the scriptures you have exposed of late we need to anticipate a decreasing freedom in our Christian journey. With federal judges ruling a national day of prayer unconstitutional we can begin to see those days slipping away. The message we have is in conflict with the world’s standards and we need to prepare to be hated for our defense of the gospel. Perhaps even realize that the best evidence of our Christianity is in being persecuted by the world…the best way to combat these false teachings is to declare the one true gospel – Jesus Christ. But as you have been saying; it is not for cowards!
Thanks Pastor!
Grace and Peace!
Philippians 1:29, “It has been granted to you not only to believe, but also to suffer for Jesus sake.” Question: If a person has not or does not suffer in some degree because of or for the Gospel… does that say anything/something about their conversion?? Wondering about your thoughts…
Ron, define suffering and I think, then you have your answer.
The one true gospel is the Mashiach, Yeshua, died for our sins according to the Tanach, He was buried and He rose again the third day according to the Tanach. What has the preaching the one true gospel cost:
Being betrayed, falsely accused, threats, false judgment, rejected, forsaken of family members and friends, with persecution. And yet God is the God of all comfort in the Mashiach.