As Christians, we have a couple of duties: to spread the good news of the gospel to every tribe and tongue and nation, and to live godly lives. But something is deterring us. We are scared of what others might think, say, or do. We do not want to be the butt of all the jokes so we stay back. We are often "hearers and not doers," because of our fear.
We are sleeping the deadly sleep of fear. Off in dream-land while the whole world screams at us to give them what Christ has given us. But we are too scared. So we shy away and bite our fingernails. We all do it, me included. I am scared of what others might do or say. But if we truly trust and lean on Christ, then we have no reason to fear rejection. He says that just as He was rejected, we will be too. We know it is coming, so lets give them a good reason to reject us!
We have grown up surrounded by Christianity. We know all the Sunday-school answers, can quote the Lord's Prayer, and say the Ten Commandments, we have heard the story of Christ's sacrifice so much that it is just another story. This is so dangerous! Jesus' sacrifice for us is nothing more than a Bible story to us. To me. It has lost it's wonder from generations of hearing it told over and over again. Instead of focusing on His sacrifice, we make it more about the way that the story is presented than the story itself. When we begin lose the awe of what Christ did for us on the cross, we begin to lose sight of the cross, and, when we lose sight of the cross, we lose sight of Jesus. This is what is so dangerous. If we lose sight of the cross, we lose sight of our purpose for life. Why should we live our lives to serve Someone that we can no longer see?
When we begin to fall away from our calling (man's chief end is to glorify God and too enjoy him forever), we also fall away from Christ. We can never be too close to our Saviour and Friend, Jesus.
We are too focused on ourselves to notice the hurting world round us. We are too scared that we might look silly to speak up for the Name of Jesus, and share His love with others. As it is repeatedly said throughout out the Bible, we must "humble ourselves."
When we let go of our fear of others and our pride, God can use us in more ways than we can imagine. We just need to surrender.
While looking at a friend's blog, I found this quote:
"Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don’t deter any but Chocolate Soldiers from executing God’s Will. When someone says there is a lion in the way, the real Christian promptly replies, “That’s hardly enough inducement for me; I want a bear or two besides to make it worth my while to go.”
– CT Studd –
This should be our motto. But to most of us, this seems a little bit scary. But what reason do we have to be afraid? None. Matthew 28:20: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is straight out of the mouth of Jesus! What more assurance do we need? Again the answer is none. God keeps His promises. There is no need to wonder "will God come through for me?" He has already promised too.
So re-read the story of God's love with an open heart. Ask Him to reveal himself to you and He will. Then "go into all the world, preaching and baptizing." And don't be scared, remember "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
It is time to wake up; we have been asleep far too long. It is time to get serious about living for God. Will you join me in learning to take the Gospel to the nations without fear? Learning too take the Bible as it has been written and not just fall for mans interpretations? I hope you will, because together we will make God famous!
Delaney
We are sleeping the deadly sleep of fear. Off in dream-land while the whole world screams at us to give them what Christ has given us. But we are too scared. So we shy away and bite our fingernails. We all do it, me included. I am scared of what others might do or say. But if we truly trust and lean on Christ, then we have no reason to fear rejection. He says that just as He was rejected, we will be too. We know it is coming, so lets give them a good reason to reject us!
We have grown up surrounded by Christianity. We know all the Sunday-school answers, can quote the Lord's Prayer, and say the Ten Commandments, we have heard the story of Christ's sacrifice so much that it is just another story. This is so dangerous! Jesus' sacrifice for us is nothing more than a Bible story to us. To me. It has lost it's wonder from generations of hearing it told over and over again. Instead of focusing on His sacrifice, we make it more about the way that the story is presented than the story itself. When we begin lose the awe of what Christ did for us on the cross, we begin to lose sight of the cross, and, when we lose sight of the cross, we lose sight of Jesus. This is what is so dangerous. If we lose sight of the cross, we lose sight of our purpose for life. Why should we live our lives to serve Someone that we can no longer see?
When we begin to fall away from our calling (man's chief end is to glorify God and too enjoy him forever), we also fall away from Christ. We can never be too close to our Saviour and Friend, Jesus.
We are too focused on ourselves to notice the hurting world round us. We are too scared that we might look silly to speak up for the Name of Jesus, and share His love with others. As it is repeatedly said throughout out the Bible, we must "humble ourselves."
When we let go of our fear of others and our pride, God can use us in more ways than we can imagine. We just need to surrender.
While looking at a friend's blog, I found this quote:
"Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don’t deter any but Chocolate Soldiers from executing God’s Will. When someone says there is a lion in the way, the real Christian promptly replies, “That’s hardly enough inducement for me; I want a bear or two besides to make it worth my while to go.”
– CT Studd –
This should be our motto. But to most of us, this seems a little bit scary. But what reason do we have to be afraid? None. Matthew 28:20: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is straight out of the mouth of Jesus! What more assurance do we need? Again the answer is none. God keeps His promises. There is no need to wonder "will God come through for me?" He has already promised too.
So re-read the story of God's love with an open heart. Ask Him to reveal himself to you and He will. Then "go into all the world, preaching and baptizing." And don't be scared, remember "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
Delaney
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