Faith, Gotta Have It: He Doesn’t Scare Me “Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Philippians 3:7 Hebrews 11:13, 26-27 One time my wife and I were visiting with a new couple in our church. The sister told us, “Since I’ve begun growing in faith, I’ve noticed my friends don’t invite me to their affairs like they used to.” Want to guess why? Probably because her presence was becoming a reproach to them…not because she was being overbearing or self-righteous, but because she was a living reminder of Christ to them. And they didn’t want her around anymore. That’s a small example of what today’s text calls “the reproach of Christ.” Reproach has to do with ridicule and persecution. You have to choose it, because nobody seeks it naturally. Moses looked things over in Egypt and said, “I’ll take the reproach of Christ.” But he did it “looking to the reward” (v.26). When you win a contest, in this case the conflict of faith, you get a reward. If you’re willing to go with Christ outside the camp, “bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13), no longer identifying with this world, you will reap a reward. Part of it you get in this life, and part of it you will get in eternity, but you will get it. Notice also to be a winner in the conflict of faith, you must choose the power of God over the power of the world. Moses wasn’t afraid of Pharaoh. The reason many of us won’t live for God is that we are too afraid of what people will say and think. Well, you might as well decide that some people are going to talk about you and even reject you. Recognize that now, and you won’t have to fear it later. See, Moses didn’t fear Pharaoh, even though he was a visible threat, because Moses saw someone who motivated him far more: “Him who is unseen” (v.27). Moses saw God. I like that phrase! It’s a paradox. How can you see someone who can’t be seen? With eyes of faith….that’s how. You cannot see God with 20/20 vision, but you can see Him clearly. Is God in your line of sight today? Pharaoh wasn’t any big deal after Moses saw God. Who or what are you afraid of today? Look to Jesus!! Posted by David Coleman of The DC Ministry “Sharing The Gospel.”
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:59:56 +0000
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