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And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And 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."
Mark 13:5-13.
Suffering is acceptable, if you are suffering for the right thing. Right now there is a lot of hatred and scorn directed toward people within families because of politics. People have lost their jobs, their friends, and even have suffered physical violence because of political activity. But that is here, in America, where the Gospel is seen as inconsequential and impotent. In some countries, it will get you imprisoned or executed.
We need to Make Faith Dangerous Again here in America. To do that, it must become powerful and consequential. It must change our own lives first, and then it must threaten the sin and idolatry around us. But this comes with a warning. Do not be led astray. Make sure you are serving your Lord, and not some fraud who merely claims to do so. Stay on message. Convert your opponents.
If we had been evangelizing the youth and discipling them over the past 30 years, this would be a different country right now. We have made the work harder by ignoring the work we were specifically given. Soon, we will suffer for it.
"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And 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."
Mark 13:5-13.
Suffering is acceptable, if you are suffering for the right thing. Right now there is a lot of hatred and scorn directed toward people within families because of politics. People have lost their jobs, their friends, and even have suffered physical violence because of political activity. But that is here, in America, where the Gospel is seen as inconsequential and impotent. In some countries, it will get you imprisoned or executed.
We need to Make Faith Dangerous Again here in America. To do that, it must become powerful and consequential. It must change our own lives first, and then it must threaten the sin and idolatry around us. But this comes with a warning. Do not be led astray. Make sure you are serving your Lord, and not some fraud who merely claims to do so. Stay on message. Convert your opponents.
If we had been evangelizing the youth and discipling them over the past 30 years, this would be a different country right now. We have made the work harder by ignoring the work we were specifically given. Soon, we will suffer for it.
"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
