The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
In the beginning of the Church's establishment, there was a lot of persecution. A lot. It has made me wonder, in my life, am I being persecuted enough or at all? Should I be? The reason I ask myself these questions is because the evidence we're given in the book of Acts testifies to the fact that God's Message causes great salvation and great uproar. The Power of Truth caused the messengers to endure countless physical and emotional hardships. This words and message are universal, they're the same today that they were 2,000 years ago.
In that same vein, there are Believers today in countries that disallow freedom of religion who are enduring physical persecution. What has happened to America -- are we spoiled because we are a "christian nation" and the freedom to practice what we believe is something we've taken for granted? Have we become lazy? I believe that, unfortunately, without the urgency or the thrill of a Message threatens our everyday safety-- we forget to share it. We may practice it, but are we preaching it at all? Our lives may look different, but are our words? I feel strongly tonight that we must be telling everyone about God's news, His great news about love and Jesus and life and hope and peace. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful that I live in a free country and my physical safety isn't compromised because of the church I attend. However, I never want this worldly freedom to overpower the spiritual urgency of the Message I am called to share.
On a final note, I believe there is still persecution today, I'm not fooled. Believers everywhere are being persecuted when one of us compromises. When one believer conforms or complies or fails to act when it is right that he or she do so, the Church, as a whole, is persecuted. Unlike what our culture tells us, it's not about you. It's not about me. It's about our Body and our Family. My and your actions affect each other. So I can't let the the world, I can't let sin, deceive me into thinking that I don't need to be spiritually aware of what I'm doing and the long-term effects it could have on the Church.
It's all about Christ.
2 comments:
I loved this one, Katie! I think that our battles these days are more "hidden." There are times when when physically need to speak, move, "do," in order to share God's truth. However, in everyday life, we have fight our own vices that keep us from God's completeness. We have the ability to lead by example, and Satan wants jade us by bringing to light all of our shortcomings.
You are so right, Katie, about our reluctance to share the Good News today. And, I agree with you, it is largely because we value our comforts more than the message. What a sad indictment on our culture/society. It starts with each one of us doing what God calls/prompts us to do in our circle of influence. Be bold! Speak forth! Make a difference today! Love you - Dad
Post a Comment