- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,543
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
The great British prime minister Winston Churchill, who led Great Britain through the darkest days of World War II, has been credited with saying, “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
In today’s world, many Christians seem more concerned with being accepted in modern culture than they are about standing for godly principles as they try to reach the world for Jesus Christ. And while you are to speak words of truth “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15-16), you aren’t to shrink from boldly speaking a truth many won’t want to hear.
Jesus made His followers this promise, one many of them are uncomfortable reading: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19).
So boldly speak the truth to those who desperately need to hear it, and make sure you do it respectfully and humbly. But remember what Jesus told His followers: not everyone will want to hear it, and some (maybe even some you consider close friends) may turn away from you or persecute you because of it.
The great British prime minister Winston Churchill, who led Great Britain through the darkest days of World War II, has been credited with saying, “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
In today’s world, many Christians seem more concerned with being accepted in modern culture than they are about standing for godly principles as they try to reach the world for Jesus Christ. And while you are to speak words of truth “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15-16), you aren’t to shrink from boldly speaking a truth many won’t want to hear.
Jesus made His followers this promise, one many of them are uncomfortable reading: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19).
So boldly speak the truth to those who desperately need to hear it, and make sure you do it respectfully and humbly. But remember what Jesus told His followers: not everyone will want to hear it, and some (maybe even some you consider close friends) may turn away from you or persecute you because of it.
