Daily Manna: Suffering For Christ? Tuesday 18, March 2014 TEXT: MATTHEW 10:16-33 Key verse: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22). The Lord Jesus Christ did not leave His disciples in any doubt about the perils in the way of their service. He repeatedly emphasised that persecutions and tribulations await those who stick-out their necks to testify on His behalf. He, however, provided a consolation for those who endure these harsh treatments: they would be rewarded in time and eternity. As the Lord sent the disciples out on their first missionary journey, He made them know that the preaching of the good news of the kingdom of God would, of course, attract the indignation of the religious and the hypocrites, whose position would be severely threatened by the simplicity and antithetical message (to their position) of the gospel. Consequently, rebellion would be stirred up against the disciples. They would face rejection from siblings, dragged before the courts and convicted. The gospel message is a necessary assault against the prevailing unjust and decadent world system. It must, therefore, be expected that the purveyors of the new life would be subjected to the worst forms of indignity, especially by those who benefit largely from the present earthly arrangement. Christians are not to be deterred by such cruel treatments. Indeed, they are to welcome such as underscoring the divine origin of their message. Perhaps, as you daily serve the Lord, you encounter extremely difficult persecution. Perhaps also, as a result of this, you are contemplating abandoning your duty post to avoid more troubles. The call of God today is that you remain, because the abandonment of the work does not guarantee the cessation of troubles. You indeed run the grave risk of eternal rejection by the Lord, should you make a shipwreck of your ministry. A quitter never wins, while a winner never quits. Stick it out and be persuaded of God’s grace to pull you through. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The cross ultimately midwives the crown.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:59:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015