I ended yesterday's writing in part with a staggering statistic. Over 100,000 people die each year for representing Jesus Christ as their savior and risen Lord.
Having said that, I can promise you that in your life and walk as a Christian, you too, will face opposition. Death, probably not, but opposition in some shape or fashion will boldly knock at your door as you are bold in sharing the gospel.
Paul's life was forever changed when he began to preach that Jesus is and was the Messiah. In Damascus, not long after he began preaching in the synagogues, there was a conspiracy to kill him. Paul learned of their plan, and his followers were forced to remove him from the city, at night, by lowering him over and then through an opening below at the city gate. Paul remained fearless in his mission.
In Acts 9:26-28 it says, "When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of the Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved freely about Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord."
We immediately see that Paul faced opposition of dire consequences. There was a plot to kill him in Jerusalem, so his followers helped him flee to safety. In Jerusalem, he was met with opposition in the form of denial about who he had become and the unwavering commitment to his mission laid out by the Lord. Only twenty-four verses earlier, he was on a mission in complete opposition of the Lord, prepared to take prisoners to Jerusalem of those who believed. Opposition was met in the validity of his newly adopted belief in Christ. Moving on to verse 29, we see, "He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him."
This will become a running theme in Paul's life, just as I have spelled out in my writing that perspective has a huge effective in communication and decision-making for each and every one of us.
Paul faces a ton of opposition in his mission for Christ.
Paul always sees and finds a way. He is bold. He is relentless. He is fearless. He will win on the battlefield for Christ.
We will not all be as successful as Billy Graham, Joel Osteen or Paul. What is important is that we run the race!
One of my favorite sermons in my entire Christian life to date was about the "Five Crowns" that we can offer and lay at the feet of Jesus when we meet him. It was preached by Ian Walker at New Morgan Hill Baptist Church in 2013. Paul outlines 1 of the 5 in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says, "Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Would you run for Jesus to gain the prize of the "incorruptible crown?"
This prize is also known as the "imperishable crown." Just as Jesus was crucified and died for our sin, we are to crucify the flesh in ourselves, and look heavenward for direction and purpose in our own mission. For some, that will be making an impact in the life of a child in a public school. For others, leading a team of men safely through a day in the coal mines so that they can feed their families. You might be an advocate; perhaps for bringing water to those in a foreign land who have none readily accessible, or even a leader as a deacon or pastor of a church.
Whether missionary or layman, we all have a race to run. And, oh-by-the-way, we will be rewarded for our efforts in heaven.
Attempting to squash our selfish desires in the name of the Lord is not an easy task. Not by any measure. But in your growth as a Christian, working toward this goal is not only admirable, but is a strict instruction by God for those who desire to enter His kingdom. The point of the matter here, is that as growing and strong Christians, we must be willing to accept sacrifice. That sacrifice will vary near and far; a lot for some, and not as much for others. What God is really asking of us, is to accept the challenge in the mission that He has placed in front of us. We don't all have to be pastors or missionaries to "run a good race" for the Lord.
Begin anew this week. You may say to yourself, "What can I sacrifice today and this week in my mission for the Lord?'
Start small, and build aggressively from that point.
In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, Paul continues by saying, "Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it a slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
So there you have it. Opposition in our walk as Christians is a certainty - embrace it! Focus on your mission. Walk boldly in it; in your belief and be able to validate that belief with scripture. Define your audience based on your divine inspired mission, run with purpose and gain the prize!
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