"Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.“
You can’t spread the gospel without accepting the risk of persecution. The threat of being ostracized when speaking the truth is real…In many places physical consequences are possible as well. But Peter is saying that some things are worth suffering for, and that enduring persecution diminishes the fear of it.
This passage also implies that the pain of persecution emboldens you by making you choose between a fleshly, or spiritual mindset. This refines your view of sin and solidifies your goals.
If a running back’s only goal is to avoid getting hurt, he will be unproductive. Being preoccupied with injury will not only get you hurt, but it will also make you an ineffective football player. It slows down your reflexes, makes you second-guess your movements, and causes hesitation. But if you accept that violence is part of the game, and stop being anxious about it, your focus becomes the endzone. You may still avoid collisions as part of your strategy to reach the goal line, but it will not be because you’re afraid of being hit.
Spiritually we must seek the goal line as well. And fear cannot permit other objectives to get in the way. Pursuing popularity may interfere with speaking the truth. Needing acceptance, may cause you to preach tolerance at the expense of righteousness. Focusing on fund raising might cause you to water down hard truths. All of these can lead to ineptitude, and injuries in your spiritual life, and in the lives of those you love.
To be effective you must choose your King and accept that opposition is inevitable. Arm yourself with the resolve that Jesus had and look persecution in the eye without blinking. Begin today persuaded that you have one goal… Don’t seek confrontation, but don’t avoid it either, if it means modifying the message.
Your job is to inform others that truth and righteousness is provided and defined by God alone. Some people will be offended by that. But no amount of disapproval should alter your resolve to speak the truth in love.
God’s command was clear….”Go and make disciples”…regardless of the cost.
“When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize.” - C.H. Spurgeon
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