Stand Up for Jesus

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:16–33)

Currently in our country and culture, all religions are allowed or tolerated. Only Christians are slipping out of that toleration in several ways. We cannot speak out against certain sins because this is now unlawful. While some ministries are admired, most of the time many non-believers consider us a bit weird or pay no attention to us at all.

As I read the above passage, I wondered if persecution is better than being ignored. When people protest truth, it is usually because they ‘get it’ but don’t want to hear it. No reaction at all could indicate a much harder heart. 

The point Jesus makes is that no matter how others treat us, He watches over us and as we continue to stand up for Him, He continues to represent us to His Father and promises His peace to those who rely on Him. 

Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31–33)

Many tend to think that the worst persecutors can do is put us to death, but forget that death shoves us out of this place into eternal glory with Him. No wonder He asks if I now believe!

Jesus, there are days I want to leave this life and be with You. Usually I’m feeling sorry for myself. Far better to join You because my life or words have convicted someone, eventually even brought them to their knees, then to be comfortable and safe but those around me remain without faith and are denied by You. You do not author fear but love and a sound mind. Grant me the love, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit that others can hear and hopefully see a clearer picture of You. 

 

Overcoming fear

Most of yesterday afternoon was spent with a few friends. One battles cancer. Another recovered from a badly fractured foot and can walk again. Another works in a foreign country that may not allow him back to his job. Another is a medical doctor. My hubby is involved in large construction projects. All are deeply committed Christians. Our conversation was lively and mostly about our experiences with God.

One part of the discussion focused on the power of fear. The cancer person shared how it can hit her. She knows fear is not from God and battles in prayer to regain her confidence and peace. The doctor shared a story of a boy hit by a car and in extreme pain — until he was reassured about his condition, care and the outcome. As soon as he knew he was in good hands, his pain level dropped.

All of us know that pain is a symptom. Like guilt, it usually tells us that something is wrong. However, fear is seldom a good thing. (The exceptions are obvious; I should fear a lion moving in my direction, playing in traffic, and ignoring pain and guilt.) In the boy’s case, fear made his pain worse than it should have been.

The Bible says much about fear. In our discussion yesterday, someone quoted this verse:

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

In most cases, fear creates an emotional paralysis that keeps me from action. It is that “what if?” factor that side-tracks me. Instead of moving ahead motivated by confidence in God who loves me and the love that He gives me for others, I’m too afraid to do anything because I’m thinking more of my own safety or self-preservation. This can by physical but also relational. Fear drives thoughts such as: “If I do that, people might not like me” or “If I don’t go along with them, they will not be my friends.”

Instead of fear, God gives power. I can do whatever He wants me to do because of His power that is in me through faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote,

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Instead of fear, God gives love. This is the kind of love that isn’t thinking about my ‘rights’ or about me at all. it is the same love that brought Jesus from heaven to earth to die for us. Had He been fearful and thinking of Himself, salvation would not have been available to us! With that kind of love, I can to boldly obey God and not be anxious about the ramifications. As with the Lord Jesus, the plan of God is always for good, not just the good of others, but it will always work out for my good too!

Instead of fear, God gives self-control. My Bible dictionary says this means, “to behave in a sensible manner with thoughtful awareness of what is best.” Self-control is also produced by the Holy Spirit yet that verse (Galatians 5:32) uses a different Greek word that looks at the other side of this sensible manner. It is “the ability to say no to all sinful and selfish desires.” Obviously, both are needed. I cannot be thoughtful and aware of what is best if I am focused on my own desires. As we talked yesterday, fear puts the focus on what ‘I want’ and not only keeps us from trusting God, it keeps us from that thoughtful awareness of what is best, otherwise known as wisdom.

Cancer is a fear-producing condition. Our friend said that most of the time she is at peace. We agreed that God’s peace is a supernatural thing. We get it from our Lord and through expressing our trust in Him.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

We also agreed that others cannot understand it either. Our families sometimes shake their heads at the obvious peace we experience. Our friends and even most medical people wonder about this peace because it is not the normal reaction to life’s challenges. Fear is. But fear is not from God — and we want the world to know that fear can be overcome by deeply trusting the One who made this promise:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, indeed, You have overcome the world along with its dangers, its power to trouble our hearts, its fears and challenges. You conquered death and give us life everlasting. You tell us not to fear. We sometimes let it grab us but are so glad that fear is not in control — You are!

Today’s thankful list . . .

The ability to be at peace.

A productive day catching up on a long chore list.

My studio is finally tidy.

Chicken wraps.

Pineapple and oranges.